Oleksandra Matviichuk, a Ukrainian human rights lawyer and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has urged world leaders not to overlook the human cost of the war in Ukraine. Speaking to the BBC, she stressed the need to re-center political discussions around the lives affected by the conflict.
“The human dimension must be returned to the political process,” she said. “What will happen to the tens of thousands illegally detained citizens, men and women, and prisoners of war… this question is very urgent.”
Ukrainian officials estimate that around 16,000 civilians are still being held in Russian prisons following abductions by invading forces. That figure doesn’t include the nearly 20,000 children believed to have been forcibly taken to Russia.
During a visit in June, I met with families of some of the civilians still detained. Their overwhelming concern is that their loved ones have been excluded from peace talks — and that no clear strategy exists to secure their release.
Matviichuk also voiced doubt about former U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims that he could swiftly end the war.
“As a candidate for president, [he] said that he would finish this war in 24 hours. This is the longest 24 hours in history,” she remarked.
