The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has issued a strong condemnation of the visit by Hans Kluge, the regional director of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Europe, to Moscow. Ukrainian lawmakers emphasized that such actions undermine the global stance on isolating Russia as an aggressor state. The Ministry of Health of Ukraine has taken a similar position.
This is reported by Kyiv24
Ukrainian Authorities: WHO Visits to Russia Are Unacceptable
The statement from the Verkhovna Rada indicates that Kluge’s visit could be seen as a first step towards Russia’s return to the international community. Ukrainian deputies noted that Kremlin propaganda media are already presenting this meeting as a “recognition” of Russia as a WHO partner. The situation is particularly concerning in light of the financial difficulties faced by the organization due to the refusal of certain countries to fund its activities.
“This visit appears to be the first step towards Russia’s return to the international community. Kremlin propaganda media are already portraying it as ‘recognition’ of Russia as a WHO partner… This is especially alarming against the backdrop of WHO’s financial troubles due to some countries’ refusals to fund the organization. Such a meeting may indicate a willingness to compromise even with those who disregard humanitarian law, in order to preserve donor funds,” the parliament stated.
The Verkhovna Rada emphasized that visits by WHO representatives to Russia are unacceptable from both moral and political perspectives. Such actions, according to the Ukrainian side, damage the reputation of the organization itself. Instead of documenting and condemning crimes, negotiations are being held with a terrorist state.
Lawmakers called on the WHO to publicly assess the consequences of Russian aggression for Ukraine’s healthcare sector, to cease visits to the aggressor country, to strengthen cooperation with the Ukrainian Ministry of Health, regional administrations, and civil initiatives, as well as to support programs for the restoration of medical facilities, mobile healthcare, and psychological assistance for the citizens of Ukraine.
Ministry of Health: Normalization of Relations with Russia Is Unacceptable
The Ministry of Health of Ukraine warned that any signals of readiness for “normalization” of relations with a state that systematically attacks the Ukrainian healthcare system appear to be attempts to ignore obvious crimes. According to the ministry, as of early June 2025, 2,354 objects within 769 medical facilities in Ukraine had been documented as damaged or destroyed due to Russian aggression.
Many of these facilities are still operating in risk zones, and medical workers often face death or injury while performing their duties. The Ministry believes that such meetings should serve as a platform for clear statements regarding the unacceptability of attacks on civilian medical infrastructure, including shelling of hospitals, destruction of medical transport, as well as injuries and deaths among patients and medical staff. It is also emphasized that the detention of Ukrainian prisoners of war in inhumane conditions without access to treatment is a gross violation of the Geneva Conventions.
The Ministry of Health stressed that in the current circumstances, any manifestations of “business as usual” in relations with Russia create a dangerous precedent for tolerating crimes against humanity and undermine trust in the international community.
It is known that Hans Kluge visited Moscow on June 16, where he met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. On the social media platform X, he reported that he discussed issues related to adherence to international humanitarian principles and the necessity to refrain from attacks on medical facilities. The meeting also addressed cooperation within multilateral platforms, including BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the CIS, and the Eurasian Economic Union.