The foreign ministers of the G7 countries, as well as the High Representative of the European Union, have welcomed the mediation efforts by other countries in facilitating prisoner exchanges and negotiations regarding the return of children illegally deported by Russia, according to a joint statement.
"We welcome the Montreal Commitments, the outcome of the ministerial conference on the human dimension of Ukraine's 10-point peace formula, organized by Canada, Ukraine, and Norway. We also support the proposals by Qatar, South Africa, and the Holy See to act as mediators in supporting and conducting negotiations for the return of children; the continued role of the United Arab Emirates in mediating prisoner exchanges; and the proposals from Norway, Lithuania, and Qatar to ensure a favorable environment for Ukrainians returning home," the statement reads.
The ministers also firmly condemned the widespread and systematic torture and ill-treatment by Russia of Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian detainees, including the use of sexual violence, as reported by the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.
They also condemned the illegal deportation and forced relocation of Ukrainian children by Russia.
The G7 is an international club of governments from seven highly developed countries: the USA, Japan, Germany, the UK, France, Italy, and Canada.
