On June 16, WHO Regional Director Hans Kluge held a meeting in moscow with russian foreign minister sergey lavrov. A senior official of one of the most reputable organizations in the field of health care engaged with the representative of a state that systematically violates international law, deliberately targets Ukrainian medical infrastructure, and causes civilian casualties. Regrettably, this is the reality.

This visit looks like the first step of returning russia to international community. Kremlin propaganda media are already presenting this as a "recognition" of the russian federation as a WHO partner. This is not merely a diplomatic signal — it undermines the global stance on the isolation of the aggressor state.

This sounds especially alarming against the backdrop of WHO's financial difficulties due to the refusal of some countries to fund the organisation. Such a meeting may indicate a willingness to compromise even with those who flout humanitarian law in order to preserve donor funds.️ Contact between the WHO leadership and russian officials is an undermining of the global position on isolating the aggressor country.


The Chairman of the Committee on National Health, Mykhailo Radutskyi, reminds that since the full-scale war began, the russian federation has shelled and destroyed over 2,350 healthcare facilities across Ukraine — including hospitals, maternity wards, outpatient clinics, and rehabilitation centers. A total of 769 medical institutions have been affected. Just last night, following yet another terrorist attack by russia, 12 civilians lost their lives and over 100 were injured. If these figures are not convincing, I invite the world to look at news reports featuring photos and videos of the destroyed buildings in Kyiv.

Ukraine’s position is clear: visits by WHO representatives to the russian federation are unacceptable both morally and politically. Moreover, such visits damage the reputation of the organization itself. Instead of condemning and documenting crimes, negotiations are held with a terrorist state.

We call on WHO to publicly assess the impact of russian aggression on Ukraine’s healthcare system, cease visits to the aggressor country, strengthen cooperation with Ukraine’s Ministry of Health, regional administrations, and civil initiatives, and support projects focused on rebuilding medical facilities, mobile healthcare, and psychological assistance for Ukrainians.

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