“The head of the National Union of Journalists Sergey Tomilenko passed the Vatican Vatican Aviar in Ukraine List of Ukrainian Media Employees in Russian captivity. This is stated on Tomilenko’s Facebook page. Vatican Ambassador to Ukraine Wiswaldas Kulbokas held a meeting with”, – WRITE ON: ua.news
The head of the National Union of Journalists Serhiy Tomilenko passed the Vatican Aviar in Ukraine Kulbobas List of Ukrainian Media Employees in Russian captivity.
This is stated on Tomilenko’s page in Facebook.
“In the Apostolic Nunction, an important meeting was held in Ukraine to protect freedom of speech and the rights of prisoners of journalists,” the message reads.
The Apostolic Nuncio, Vatican Ambassador to Ukraine Viswaldas Kulbobas met with the head of advocacy in Eastern Europe of the International Press Institute (IPI) by Karol Luchka and Head of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine Sergey Tomilenko.
The central theme of the meeting was the fate of Ukrainian journalists in Russian captivity.
The meeting became especially relevant after Pope Leo XIV’s recent speech, in which he strongly called for the release of journalists who were in prisoners for “the desire to communicate the truth.”
“The church recognizes in these witnesses – I think about those who report the war at the cost of their own lives – the courage of those who protect the dignity, justice and the right of people to be informed,” – said Pope Leo, whose words attracted the attention of the world community to the topic of solidarity with prisoners.
Luchka confirmed the full involvement of the IPI in efforts to release captured Ukrainian journalists. He assured that the International Institute of Press will continue to be a voice that resembles an international community about a screaming crime, which is the maintenance of Ukrainian journalists, as well as other civilian hostages in Russian captivity.
During the meeting, Tomilenko conveyed a renewed list and detailed materials of the NSFU against Ukrainian media people who are in Russian captivity.
According to the latest NSFU data, there are 31 civilian media representatives and at least one journalist who was captured in the ranks of the Defense Forces of Ukraine in the Russian captivity.
The Apostolic Nuncio noted that he was deeply moved by the tragic fate of the journalist Victoria Roshchina, who died in the Russian captivity as a result of torture.
“I pray for her,” the ambassador said, expressing his condolences to the journalist and colleagues.
According to the report, “Kulboas encouraged the NSU and IPI to active international advocacy and constantly drawing the attention of the world community to this problem.”
He assured that the Holy See would use its diplomatic channels to facilitate the liberation of Ukrainian media.
“Every day in captivity is the day of torture and inhumane treatment of our colleagues. We are obliged to use all possible mechanisms for their release, ”Tomilenko emphasized.
He thanked the Vatican for his attention to this humanitarian crisis.
The participants of the meeting agreed to further coordinate efforts and regular exchange of information for the sake of a common goal – to return all prisoners of journalists home.
Earlier, the newly elected Pope Lion XIV was given lists of Ukrainian defenders who are captured in Russia.
