Ukrainian rights chief pushes for more evacuations

Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner, is focusing on direct negotiations with Russia to secure the return of Ukrainian citizens. He spoke on this topic during a press conference on November 1. Lubinets emphasized that his position requires him to manage his personal feelings to achieve practical results in these talks.

Lubinets stated that he sees no alternative to engaging directly with the Russian side to bring people home. He explained that maintaining diplomatic etiquette improves the likelihood of a positive outcome. This approach involves a specific dynamic with his Russian counterpart, Yana Lantratova, who serves as the Russian Human Rights Commissioner.

The first meeting between Lubinets and Lantratova took place just five days after her appointment. At that initial session, Lubinets immediately raised the issue of the Oleshky settlement. He noted that when his counterpart uses his full respectful name, Dmytro Valeriiovych, he feels no hesitation in addressing her as Yana Valeriivna.

Lubinets acknowledged that he personally shares the sentiments most Ukrainians hold toward Russia. However, he argued that letting those emotions dictate his actions would weaken the negotiation process. He is currently working to implement humanitarian missions based on these diplomatic channels.

One recent success involved a humanitarian mission in Oleshky within Kherson Oblast. Lubinets reported that Russian occupation forces did not subject civilians to filtration procedures during this operation. This marked a distinct shift in the handling of civilians compared to previous interactions.

The two commissioners have developed joint proposals on various humanitarian issues. They also discussed extending the Oleshky model to other areas in the Oleshky hromada. Lubinets expressed hope that this specific approach could expand to other settlements facing difficult conditions.

Lubinets and Lantratova agreed to ask US First Lady Melania Trump to broaden the scope of these humanitarian efforts. Trump previously stated that nearly 800 people were evacuated during the Oleshky mission conducted under a ceasefire. The Ukrainian commissioner hopes this precedent will lead to further evacuations in other regions.