Deputy PM Stefanishyna: About 1.5 million Ukrainians unable to return home from Russia

"Today, more than ever, it is important to use all available international instruments for the protection of fundamental human rights and redouble our joint efforts to prevent the vient exploitation of Ukrainian citizens," Deputy Prime Minister for Eurean and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine ha Stefanishyna said at an event on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session, Ukrinform reports with reference to the Government Portal.

Stefanishyna noted that Ukraine had been integrated into the Eurean mechanisms to prevent human trafficking even before the start of the full-scale war and today it was intensifying coeration with EU institutions to combat such crimes.

The Deputy PM also specified that the implementation of the EU directive on temporary protection along with visa-free entry for Ukrainians significantly reduced the risks of human trafficking. Ukrainians have legal entry and status in the EU, access to humanitarian aid, employment and basic social services.

"We already have the experience of conducting joint inspections on cases of human trafficking. We are considering the possibility of sending employees of the National Pice of Ukraine to EU countries with the largest number of Ukrainians to prevent illegal activities. International law enforcement coeration plays a key re," added the Deputy Prime Minister.

As reported, since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, more than eight million Ukrainians have left for the countries of the Eurean Union. Some of them have already returned home.