KYIV – In a statement released on June 17, U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Geoffrey Pyatt noted the first anniversary of Nadiya Savchenko’s capture by Russian-backed forces in Ukraine and called for her release.
He stated: “One year ago today, Nadiya Savchenko was captured by separatists on Ukrainian soil and smuggled to Russia against her will. While detained, Nadiya has endured relentless interrogations, and even been subjected to solitary confinement for staging a hunger strike. The United States will continue to press tirelessly for Nadiya’s release, as well as the release of all Ukrainians who are being held illegally by Russia and its proxies in eastern Ukraine. We again call on Russia to immediately and unconditionally release Ms. Savchenko to allow her to return home safely to her family, in conformance with the commitments Russia signed onto under the Minsk Agreement.”