Canada to Host Conference on Release of Ukrainian Prisoners and Deportees

On October 30–31, Canada will host a thematic conference on the fourth point of the Peace Formula, "Release of Prisoners and Deported Persons," reported Office of the President of Ukraine.

This date was agreed upon during an online conversation between Andrii Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, and Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly.

Participants in the video meeting discussed the event's format, the list of countries to be invited, the agenda, and the expected outcomes. The Kingdom of Norway will co-organize the event with Canada.

"We need to find solutions for all groups held by Russia: civilians, prisoners of war, and children," said Andrii Yermak.

They also agreed on further cooperation for preparing the conference.

Additionally, Andrii Yermak thanked Mélanie Joly for her attention to the working group on this point of the Peace Formula and her leadership within the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.

The Ukrainian side was also represented by Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Deputy Heads of the Office of the President Ihor Zhovkva and Iryna Vereshchuk, Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada Yuliia Kovaliv, advisors to the Head of the Office of the President Dariшa Zarivna and Oleksandr Bevz, and Bring Kids Back UA Project Manager Maksym Maksymov.

Since February 2022, Ukraine and Russia have conducted over 50 exchanges, during which approximately 3,400 Ukrainians have been returned home.