Savchenko: overjoyed at her release, but we must not forget others like her

The EPP Group has welcomed with joy the release and return to Ukraine of 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 in 2014.

"Today is a day of joy when a brave woman, Nadiya Savchenko, the Ukrainian Jeanne d'Arc, has been released after 2 years of illegal imprisonment. This success is a result of the fight of the Ukrainian and international communities, including the European Parliament and the European People's Party”, declared Jacek Saryusz-Wolski MEP, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group responsible for Foreign Affairs.

“I strongly believe that the perpetrators of the crimes against the Ukrainian people should be, and will one day, be held accountable under international criminal law”, added Sandra Kalniete MEP, Vice-Chairwoman of the EPP Group responsible for Enlargement Policy and Eastern Neighbourhood.

Cristian Dan Preda MEP, EPP Group Spokesman on Foreign Affairs, called for the release of all Ukrainian political prisoners in Russia: “The EPP Group and the European Parliament have repeatedly demanded for the last two years the release of Nadiya Savchenko, who was illegally detained by the Russian authorities. Today, I am happy to welcome her release and return to Ukraine. I nevertheless call once more on the Russian authorities to release all other Ukrainian political prisoners and to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine".