News Release
IPU Task Force concludes visits to Kyiv and Moscow
Geneva, Switzerland, Thursday 14 July 2022. For immediate release.
The IPU Task Force for the peaceful resolution of the war in Ukraine has concluded its
initial mission to Kyiv and Moscow. The Task Force
–
led by MP Dr. Ali Al Nuaimi of
the United Arab Emirates and composed of
eight prominent parliamentarians
representing the global parliamentary community
–
was set up following the adoption
of a resolution at the 144th IPU Assembly in March 2022,
Peaceful resolution of the
war in Ukraine, respecting international law, the Charter of the United Nations and
territorial integrity.
During its mission, the IPU Task Force held open and frank discussions with political
leaders in both countries, with a view to advancing a peaceful resolution of the war in
Ukraine..
In Kyiv, the IPU Task Force met with Mr. Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the
Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and other members of the parliamentary leadership from
the various political parties, as well as with the Ukrainian delegation to the IPU. The
Task Force also met with representatives of the United Nations Country Team and the
Prosecutor General of Ukraine. It conducted a site visit to Dmytrivka, Bucha and Irpin
to get a better understanding of the human and material impact of the war on the
capital city of Kyiv and its neighbouring towns.
In Moscow, the Task Force held meetings at the State Duma with Deputy Chairman
Petr Tolstoy and at the Council of the Federation with Deputy Speaker Konstantin
Kosachev, both accompanied by other MPs. It also met with Deputy Foreign Minister
Andrey Rudenko and the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the Russian
Federation, as well as representatives of the Russian Civic Chamber. It took stock of
the concerns expressed by the Russian Federation and reinforced the message of the
global parliamentary community as manifested in the resolution adopted at the 144th
IPU Assembly.
Dr. Ali Al Nuaimi, said:
“This
is just the beginning of a long road ahead in which we
engage MPs from both parliaments and work with them to build bridges to end the war
sooner rather than later and to build confidence and relations of good
neighbourliness.”
In both capitals, the Task Force underscored the need for prompt de-escalation and
the return to dialogue for the peaceful resolution of any grievances, in strict
observance of international law. The objective of the mission was to listen, better
understand the perspective of the two parties and build bridges so as to help bring
about an end to a war which is causing great suffering and destruction, as well as
severe global consequences. The Task Force will pursue consultations following this
mission, in fulfilment of its mandate.
***