Ukraine Slams Participation of Russia’s Council Speaker in Geneva Conference

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the participation of Valentina Matvienko, Speaker of the Russian Federation Council, in the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva, The Gaze reports.

In a strong statement on X, MFA spokesperson Georgii Tykhyi called Matvienko’s attendance a disgrace:

“Matvienko’s place is in the dock, not at international conferences. Her admission to Geneva is disgraceful and should never have happened.”

Tykhyi emphasized that Matvienko bears personal responsibility for the crime of aggression against Ukraine and the atrocities that followed, having publicly supported the use of Russian armed forces on Ukrainian territory.

“We urge all participants with at least some self-respect to avoid shaking her hand, which is covered in Ukrainian blood,” he added.

Matvienko arrived in Geneva earlier this week as part of the Russian delegation to attend the Inter-Parliamentary Union events. However, both she and other Russian attendees are under EU sanctions, which Switzerland has officially joined.

The Ukrainian MFA stressed that it will continue pushing for real justice:

“We will continue to work tirelessly on another trip for Valentina Matvienko—one she truly deserves—to The Hague, where the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression Against Ukraine will soon begin its work.”