Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Arzu Rana Deuba on Tuesday requested her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba to expedite the release of seven Nepalis currently held as prisoners of war in Ukraine.
During a meeting with Minister Kuleba on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi on Tuesday, Deuba clarified that Nepal does not have a policy allowing its citizens to join the Russian army and urged the Ukrainian side to expedite the release of seven Nepalis. “Nepalis were forcibly recruited into the Russian army after falling victim to human traffickers in Nepal’s remote regions,” she added.
In response, Minister Kuleba assured that the Nepali nationals would be released upon completion of the legal process.
During the meeting, Minister Rana also sought Ukraine’s support for Nepal’s candidacy for the United Nations Human Rights Council for the term 2027-2029.
Meanwhile, a visa exemption agreement for diplomatic and official passport holders of Nepal and Ukraine was signed during the meeting.
