On January 21, Acting Permanent Representative Olha Kuryshko held a meeting with Lilja Gretarsdottir, Head of the Department for the Implementation of Human Rights, Justice, and Legal Cooperation Standards of the Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law of the Council of Europe. 

The meeting also included Nataliia Okhotnikova, Head of the Council of Europe Project titled “Strengthening judicial and non-judicial remedies for the human rights protection of the war-affected people in Ukraine” coordinator Oleksandr Kotenko, and members of the Mission’s team.

During the meeting, key areas of the Mission’s activities were discussed, including monitoring the situation in occupied Crimea, tracking the status of political prisoners, and addressing challenges related to the militarization of the peninsula, propaganda, and restricted access to independent information. 

Olha Kuryshko presented the Mission’s strategic developments, such as the Strategy for the Restoration of Crimea After De-occupation and Priority Steps After De-occupation. The importance of initiatives aimed at supporting Ukrainian citizens affected by the war, particularly internally displaced persons from Crimea, was also emphasized.

Special attention was given to upcoming events for the Day of Resistance to the Occupation of Crimea on February 26 and discussions on reparations for damage caused by Russian aggression.

During the meeting, the Mission proposed involvement in the Letters to a Free Crimea initiative, aimed at supporting political prisoners, as well as participation in the mentorship program for political prisoners launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

Lilja Gretarsdottir reaffirmed the Council of Europe’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and expressed readiness for continued cooperation.