Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has met with the families of the Ukrainian sailors captured by Russia in the Kerch Strait area in November 2018; he has expressed the hope that the sailors could return home as soon as possible.
He said he was keeping the situation under control, the presidential press service said on June 14.
Zelensky also mentioned a recent ruling by the United Nations International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in this matter.
“We are confident that the steps we are taking now will enable us to have the seamen back soon,” Zelensky said.
During the meeting, the parties raised the issue of supporting the sailors’ families, in particular, providing them with housing.
They also discussed a draft law that envisages granting the captured sailors combatants’ status.
“The president stressed that the incapability of the current Verkhovna Rada made the adoption of that document at the current stage impossible. He expressed confidence that the bill would be considered by a new parliament,” the press service said.
As reported, on May 25, the United Nations International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea issued a ruling ordering the Russian Federation to release three Ukrainian ships and 24 Ukrainian sailors captured in the Kerch Strait area in November 2018, and allow them to return to Ukraine.
