A Series of Meetings with Representatives of EU Institutions in Brussels

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The delegation included servicemen of the 12th Azov Brigade — Serhii Rotchuk, Nestor Barchuk and Anastasiia Lytvynenko — as well as Marianna Khomeriki, a representative of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War and Yevheniia Synelnyk, a representative of the Association of Azovstal Defenders' Families.

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In particular, the delegation met with Marta Wetrykowska, Deputy Head of the Ukraine Division at the European External Action Service; Member of the European Parliament Andrius Kubilius, a candidate for the position of European Commissioner for Defence and Space; Member of the European Parliament Petras Auštrevičius; and the Friends of Ukraine Group in the European Parliament, which includes members from various political groups across EU member states.

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In addition, the delegation took part in the discussion “Justice for Ukrainian POWs & the Path to Freedom” at the European Policy Centre. The discussion featured the Prosecutor General of Ukraine Andrii Kostin (online), Amanda Paul, Deputy Head of the Europe in the World Programme and Inge Tjøgesen, Adviser at the Mission of Norway to the EU.

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During the meetings, the delegation raised the issue of the inadequate conditions in which Ukrainian prisoners of war are held and the systematic disregard by russia for the Geneva Conventions, including obstruction of access for international organizations to places where Ukrainian servicemen are detained. The delegation also shared information about the terrorist attack carried out by russians in Olenivka – a crime committed by the aggressor state against unarmed prisoners.

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Representatives of EU institutions were deeply moved by the story of the defense of Mariupol and the resilience of the defenders in captivity. They expressed their support for the families of Ukrainian prisoners of war and noted that Ukraine has unique experience in post-captivity rehabilitation and in working with the families of prisoners.

The Association of Azovstal Defenders' Families expresses its gratitude to the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the EU and NATO Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, and the Mission of Ukraine to the EU for organizing this visit.