The Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie, has made a historic visit to Ukraine, becoming the first member of the British royal family to do so since the Russian invasion in 2022. The visit, announced by Buckingham Palace on Monday, aimed to show solidarity with survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and torture.
During her trip, Sophie met with survivors of sexual violence and torture, as well as children who were allegedly forcibly separated from their families by Russia. She also paid her respects to those who died in Bucha, a suburb of Kyiv that was briefly occupied by Russia, where hundreds of civilians were killed indiscriminately.
The Duchess, who is a champion of the UK's Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative and the United Nations' Women, Peace and Security Agenda, emphasized the importance of standing with survivors to secure justice and ensure that conflict-related sexual violence is not accepted as a part of conflict.
Sophie's visit comes after the UN's Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict reported in 2022 that Russia used rape and sexual violence as a "military strategy" in its war against Ukraine. Russia has denied allegations of war crimes in Ukraine.
The Duchess met with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska to discuss support for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and the role of women in ensuring Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction.
Sophie has previously visited countries including Kosovo, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Colombia to highlight the impact of conflict on survivors and hear first-hand accounts from those who have experienced conflict-related sexual violence.
In March 2023, Prince William visited the Ukrainian-Polish border to meet British and Polish troops and learn more about their collaboration in supporting Ukraine.
The Duchess's visit to Ukraine is a significant show of support for the country and its people, and highlights the importance of addressing conflict-related sexual violence and supporting survivors.
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