WORLD NEWS
Ukraine has officially requested the United Nations (UN) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to verify the humanitarian situation in the Kursk region of Russia, which Ukrainian forces recently seized.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced on Monday that his ministry had extended formal invitations to these organizations. This step is intended to demonstrate Ukraine’s commitment to international humanitarian law, particularly in light of the numerous atrocities committed by Russian forces since their invasion in February 2022.
Sybiha emphasized that the invitations reflect Ukraine’s adherence to humanitarian principles and its commitment to providing “humanitarian assistance” and “safe passage” for civilians in the Kursk region. Ukrainian forces have been present in the area for over a month following a major cross-border offensive.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry confirmed that it had requested the ICRC to monitor compliance with international humanitarian law, as outlined by the Geneva Conventions, which protect individuals affected by armed conflicts. This follows a recent visit by Sybiha to Ukraine’s Sumy region, the launch point for the August raid into Kursk.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has criticized the request, describing it as “pure provocation.” Peskov called for a “sober assessment” of Ukraine’s request by the UN and ICRC.
ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric, who is currently in Moscow for planned talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, has condemned a recent attack that killed three Ukrainian ICRC employees in Donetsk. Spoljaric's visit highlights the ongoing concerns over the safety of humanitarian workers in the conflict zone.
Ukraine's request comes amid broader geopolitical tensions, with Russia denouncing Ukraine’s counteroffensive efforts and the resulting evacuation of around 150,000 Russian civilians.
Whether the UN and ICRC will respond positively to Ukraine’s invitation remains to be seen, as the international community closely watches the evolving situation in the region.
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