Portsmouth News

Fareham MP meets with Ukraine’s top prosecutor

- Tom Cotterill tom.cotterill@thenews.co.uk

RELATIONS between British and Ukrainian experts investigat­ing Russian atrocities in Ukraine have deepened following a key diplomatic visit.

Fareham MP and attorney general Suella Braverman has met Ukrainian prosecutor general Iryna Venediktov­a in London to reiterate the UK’s commitment to bringing Russian war criminals to justice.

The Ukrainian diplomat flew to the capital on Thursday for two days of high-level ministeria­l discussion­s with key British officials in a bid to ramp up support for Ukraine, which has already seen the UK provide £1m in legal aid.

The visit comes weeks after Mrs Braverman jetted to Ukraine to meet the prosecutor general and follows Wednesday’s launch of the Atrocity Crimes Advisory group, a joint mechanism between the UK, the US and the EU to co-ordinate support for Ukraine in its war crimes investigat­ions.

As part of the latest meeting, the attorney general and prosecutor general spoke with deputy prime minister Dominic Raab to discuss the UK’s support for internatio­nal accountabi­lity efforts, particular­ly at the Internatio­nal Criminal Court.

Mrs Braverman said: ‘Russia’s illegal invasion has brought barbarity to Ukraine and justice must and will be done. It is an honour to host the Ukrainian prosecutor general, Iryna Venediktov­a, in London following my visit to Ukraine earlier this month.

‘I am determined that British expertise will help Ukraine uncover the truth and hold those responsibl­e in Putin’s regime to account for their actions.’

Thepairals­ometthemin­ister of state and the prime minister’s special representa­tive on preventing sexual violence in conflict Lord Ahmad to discuss the UK’s wider spectrum of support to Ukraine.

Speaking about her trip to London, Ms Venediktov­a said: ‘It is a great pleasure to be in London, to continue my important dialogue with attorney general Braverman, and meet the deputy prime minister and Lord Ahmad.

‘I, and the people of Ukraine, deeply appreciate the United Kingdom’s support as we search for justice together.’

Mr Raab added: ‘The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and we have provided £1m and specialist expertise to support the Internatio­nal Criminal Court’s investigat­ion so these war criminals are held to account.’

 ?? Picture:Parliament ?? IrynaVened­iktovaandS­uellaBrave­rmaninLond­on
Picture:Parliament IrynaVened­iktovaandS­uellaBrave­rmaninLond­on

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom