Kathmandu: Nepal’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shisir Khanal, held a telephone conversation on April 30 with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, focusing on bilateral relations and the issue of detained Nepali nationals in Ukraine.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the discussion covered the status of Nepal-Ukraine ties as well as concerns regarding Nepali citizens currently held in Ukraine as Prisoners of War (POWs). Minister Khanal reiterated that the Government of Nepal does not permit the recruitment of its citizens into foreign militaries, except in countries with longstanding traditional agreements.
He strongly urged the Ukrainian government to release and repatriate nine Nepali nationals currently in detention on humanitarian grounds. In response, Minister Sybiha assured that Ukraine remains open to discussions on the matter.
During the call, Minister Sybiha also extended his congratulations to Minister Khanal on his recent appointment and conveyed best wishes for a successful tenure.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the current state of bilateral relations and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation across key sectors, including agriculture, tourism, and education.
