At a regular gathering in Kyiv of relatives of soldiers captured, including during the battle for the Azovstal steelworks, participants said Sunday they hoped the summit in Switzerland would further galvanize international support for Ukraine and would boost efforts to return people held in captivity home.
“It is very important to remind the international community about our prisoners of war, because I think they have influence and can help us bring back our heroes,” said Natalya Neskromna, a 23-year-old protester.
Vladyslav, a 27-year-old architect, was also present at the gathering. He stood among other protesters who held up handmade signs, while passing cars honked their horns in support.
“I think they should always be supported (prisoners) and especially when there are political processes that can help free them.”
Eighty countries called on Sunday for Ukraine’s “territorial integrity” to be the basis of any peace deal to end two years of war with Russia, although some major developing countries participating in a conference in Switzerland did not join this call.
The joint communiqué closed a two-day conference in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, marked by the absence of Russia, which had not been invited.
Many participants expressed hope that Russia could join a road map for peace in the future.
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