On October 30, in Montreal, Canada, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha took part in the opening of the Ministerial Conference on the Human Dimension dedicated to the implementation of the fourth point of the Peace Formula, “Release of Prisoners and Deportees.”

The purpose of the thematic conferences on the points of the Formula is to prepare a common framework for peace to end Russian aggression in accordance with international law. 

In the previous weeks, 8 thematic conferences were held in cooperation with our partners and people of goodwill from around the world. The conference in Montreal is the ninth and final one. It paves the way for the Second Peace Summit.

Andrii Sybiha said that today, more than ever, it is important to be on the right side of history by making efforts to implement the Peace Formula, in particular its fourth point on the release of prisoners and deportees.

The Foreign Minister expressed his gratitude to Canada and Norway for their leadership in promoting the Formula and emphasized that such leadership and strong decisions by partners are now critically important. 

"Although the current international system has shown its inability to achieve this goal, I am convinced that our joint efforts and dedication to this case brings a comprehensive, just and lasting peace closer. Today, the world needs strong decisions. Nothing can justify Russia's genocidal actions against Ukrainian children,” the Minister emphasized.

Andrii Sybiha added that Russians not only abduct Ukrainian children, but also take away their normal childhood.

The Foreign Minister emphasized that “peace at any cost means capitulation, occupation, deportation and torture. Ukraine will never agree to peace initiatives developed without Ukraine and behind its back, which will leave the perpetrators unpunished.”