Written question asked by Richard Holden (Conservative) on Monday, 18 May 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 20 May 2026. It was answered by Stephen Doughty (Labour) on Thursday, 21 May 2026 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Ukraine: Prisoners of War

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps her Department is taking with international partners to secure International Committee of the Red Cross access to Ukrainian prisoners of war held in Russia, including access for the purposes of registration, welfare monitoring and communication with families.

Answer: Russia must comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions, in its treatment of prisoners of war. Under the Geneva Conventions, all parties must allow the International Committee of the Red Cross safe, unimpeded, and repeated access to prisoners of war wherever they are held, including for registration, monitoring of treatment and conditions, and enabling communication with families. We continue to raise these issues on a regular basis in international fora, and with our international partners.

Secondary information