UUHL is a civic movement that unites Ukrainians originating from historical Ukrainian territories currently incorporated into the Russian Federation: Starodubshchyna, Eastern Slobozhanshchyna, Zelenyi Klyn (Green Wedge), Malynovyi Klyn (Red Wedge / Kuban), Siry Klyn (Grey Wedge), and Zhovtyi Klyn (Yellow Wedge).
In the letter to the Prime Minister, it is noted that the President of Ukraine has already taken an important step by signing Decree No. 17/2024 “On Territories of the Russian Federation Historically Populated by Ukrainians.” At the same time, the UUHL representatives expressed regret that the government has yet to take any steps to implement this decree.
Special attention in the letter was given to the situation of ethnic Ukrainians who have been persecuted in Russia for their pro-Ukrainian stance and were forced to leave their native lands. Although some of them have been officially recognized as needing international protection (in particular, by UNHCR in Ukraine), the State Migration Service of Ukraine is blocking the processing of their asylum applications and does not issue even the basic confirmation certificates required by law.
As stated in the letter, some movement participants have been assisting Ukrainian state authorities in locating abducted Ukrainian children, identifying war criminals, and tracing prisoners of war — yet even they cannot obtain a Ukrainian visa to leave dangerous third countries where they are at risk of abduction or repression.
The UUHL expressed its readiness to cooperate with the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and Ms. Yuliia Svyrydenko, wishing her strength, endurance, resolve, and God’s blessing in fulfilling the high mission of serving the Ukrainian state and its people.
Nina Belyaeva
