On October 13, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mariana Betsa held a meeting with the technical mission of the Office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict.

During the meeting, the parties discussed deepening cooperation between Ukraine and the United Nations in the areas of accountability for crimes of conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) and ensuring comprehensive support for survivors in the context of the ongoing armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.

Mariana Betsa emphasized that ensuring the inevitability of punishment for war crimes, including for conflict-related sexual violence, is a common goal of Ukraine and the international community on the path to justice, peace, and restoring trust in international law. “Impunity is unacceptable: every war criminal, from the perpetrator on the battlefield to those who give orders, must be identified and held accountable. UN monitoring mechanisms play a crucial role in establishing the truth and ensuring justice,” the Deputy Minister emphasized.

The UN delegation expressed full solidarity with the people of Ukraine, who continue to resist Russia’s ongoing aggression. The experts confirmed that the UN Secretary-General pays particular attention to the documentation, verification, and investigation of sexual crimes committed by Russian troops in Ukraine. This issue is regarded as a key component of the UN’s global efforts aimed at restoring justice, protecting human rights, and providing support to victims of armed conflicts.

The parties agreed to strengthen the coordination of joint efforts and maintain regular dialogue as part of continued cooperation.