On May 30, Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Mariana Betsa met with Yasmine Praz Dessimoz, Director of Operations of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), who is currently in Ukraine on a working visit.

Deputy Minister expressed her deep appreciation for the ICRC's humanitarian efforts in Ukraine and emphasized the importance of continued joint work to ensure uninterrupted assistance to Ukrainian citizens in greatest need.

Mariana Betsa informed Yasmine Praz Dessimoz about the current situation in the regions of Ukraine most affected by Russia’s massive attacks on civilian and critical infrastructure. She also urged the ICRC to intensify its efforts to support Ukrainian prisoners of war, Ukrainian children forcibly deported by the Russian Federation, and civilians illegally detained by the aggressor state.

Deputy Minister drew the ICRC representative’s special attention to a number of horrific war crimes committed by Russia, including the execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war. She stressed the need for a strong international response to prevent the recurrence of such crimes and to ensure that Russian war criminals are held accountable.