Ukraine Condemns Sanctioned Russian Delegation at Geneva Conference

Ukraine has condemned the participation of sanctioned Russian parliamentarians, led by Valentina Matviyenko, at the Sixth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament and related events in Geneva, calling her presence "disgraceful" and demanding a boycott of events involving her. Matviyenko, who approved Russia's annexation of Crimea and the 2022 invasion, was allowed entry into Switzerland through diplomatic exceptions despite EU and Swiss sanctions, prompting outrage from Ukrainian officials who emphasized her responsibility for aggression and atrocities in Ukraine. Ukrainian Parliament Deputy Speaker Olena Kondratiuk urged other attendees to avoid any interaction with Matviyenko, warning that such acts would be exploited by Russian propaganda. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized Switzerland’s decision to permit sanctioned Russian officials to attend the conference and vowed to continue efforts to bring Matviyenko to trial for war crimes. Separately, Ukraine announced plans to sanction ambassadors from Burundi, Guinea, and Chad for their illegal visits to occupied Crimea, condemning Russia's use of these visits for propaganda and calling on the respective governments to respond appropriately. These developments highlight ongoing tensions and diplomatic efforts related to Russia's actions in Ukraine and the international community's response.