Savchenko: EPP Group demands immediate and unconditional release

The European Parliament today adopted a Resolution on the case of the Ukrainian Lieutenant Nadiya Savchenko, a military pilot and former officer of the Ukrainian armed forces who was kidnapped, detained and illegally transferred to the Russian Federation by pro-Russian militants. MEPs consider that Russia has no legal basis or jurisdiction to take any action against Nadiya Savchenko, such as detention, investigation or bringing charges against her and call for her immediate and unconditional release.

The EPP Group initiator and negotiator of the Parliament's Resolution, Cristian Preda MEP, has condemned the Russian Federation for the illegal kidnapping and detention in prison for nearly one year and stressed Russia’s double standards in the conflict with Ukraine: "The Savchenko showcases Russia’s duplicity. Russia detained and investigated Lt. Savchenko. She was captured in Eastern Ukraine while fighting pro-Russian separatists. Even though Savchenko is now in Moscow’s prisons, Russia keeps saying it is not part of this war."

I urge Russia to free Savchenko and the other Ukrainian prisoners illegally detained in its prisons. Cristian Preda MEP

The European Parliament demanded that Russian authorities respect its international commitment in the framework of the Minsk Agreement and calls for the urgent release of all hostages and unlawfully detained persons, including Nadiya Savchenko. Moreover, given the extremely fragile health conditions of Ms Savchenko following a very long period on hunger strike, MEPs have called on Russia to allow international humanitarian organisations to have permanent access to her.

"Russia is a part of the Ukrainian war without admitting it. It claims to support the Minsk Agreement but it is doing exactly the opposite of what this Agreement says. Nadia Savchenko is caught in the middle. I urge Russia to free Savchenko and the other Ukrainian prisoners illegally detained in its prisons", concluded Preda.