On the sidelines of the Yalta European Strategy (YES) summit, Permanent Representative Olha Kuryshko held a meeting with Kajsa Ollongren, the EU Special Representative for Human Rights, former Minister of Defence of the Netherlands, and mentor of Crimean political prisoner Appaz Kurtamet.

During the conversation, the parties discussed the situation in temporarily occupied Crimea, systemic human rights violations, and the necessity of maintaining constant contact with residents of the temporarily occupied territories. Particular attention was paid to the issue of supporting Ukrainian political prisoners.

Kajsa Ollongren confirmed that she would continue her mentorship within the framework of the initiative to support Crimeans illegally imprisoned by Russia. It is worth recalling that she is the mentor of Appaz Kurtamet, a Crimean Tatar activist whom the Russian occupying authorities sentenced to 7 years of imprisonment on fabricated charges of alleged “financing the activities of an organisation linked to Ukrainian volunteer formations”.

During the meeting, the parties emphasised the importance of further international advocacy and the consolidation of efforts for the release of illegally detained citizens of Ukraine.