Iryna Heraschenko noted that a key component of all negotiations was the issue of security. "Ukraine insists on declaration of pro-Russian militants, who are generously supplied with resources and weaponry by the Russian Federation, the major violators of the ceasefire regime. Since January 1, 2016, over 6,100 violations of the ceasefire regime have been registered, which does not need any comments. The militants controlled by the Russian Federation did not stop shelling even during the Easter holidays," the First Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada said.
She also noted that Ukraine continues insisting on the fact that "only stable ceasefire regime can become a fundamental for solving socioeconomic, humanitarian and political problems."
She also informed about one more aspect in the work of the socioeconomic group, in particular, the environmental one. She said that international experts had presented a report saying that in case of further shelling mines located on that territory would become of a serious environmental threat to the region.
The matters of gas, electric energy and water supplies also became a topic of the discussion. "The networks located on the territories controlled by different parties are closely interconnected with each other. As a result of constant shelling, environment can also face certain threats," Heraschenko said.
The Ukrainian politician also reminded about "the most important and most serious issue for the Ukrainians — the issue of liberation of hostages." "For the first time ever, even neutral and apolitical OSCE SMM, their coordinators, acknowledged that the militants had blocked the process of hostage release and continue demanding that Ukraine amnesty the terrorists, who kidnapped people and go into blackmailing their families," she said.
Iryna Heraschenko said that in compliance with the Security Service's data, the militants hold 112 civilians and military men hostage. At the same time, the Russian Federation arrests a total of 12 political prisoners.
She also informed about certain positive signals as to return of Yurii Soloshenko and Hennadii Afanasiyev to Ukraine at the earliest possible time.
"This issue, as well as the release of Nadiya Savchenko, is under personal control of President Petro Poroshenko," she said. She reminded that on May 20, the sentence against Russian servicemen, who came to Ukraine to kill Ukrainian citizens, takes effect. "This official sentence will open the way to return our Hero [Nadiya Savchenko] to Ukraine," the First Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada said.
Heraschenko also said that the trilateral contact group raised the question of inviting the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to take part in finding the missing people. "Today the list includes 657 civilians and military men," she said. She noted that at present the access of the mission to the prisons located on the occupied territories is blocked by the militants. "This fact vividly indicates the real position of the Russian Federation," Heraschenko said.
According to the First Deputy Chairperson of the Ukrainian Parliament, "the humanitarian issues have to become crucial ones."