Ukraine has appointed an ambassador for prisoners of war and missing persons: what is known about Dmytro Ponomarenko
14 April 00:08
A new diplomatic position has been created in Ukraine: Ambassador-at-Large for issues related to prisoners of war, civilians deprived of their liberty, and missing persons.
This was reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
The new position has been filled by Dmytro Ponomarenko, a diplomat who previously served as Ukraine’s ambassador to the Republic of Korea.
What is this new position at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has created a separate position of Ambassador-at-Large, who will handle issues related to prisoners of war, illegally detained civilians, and persons missing under special circumstances.
This is a distinct diplomatic focus whose mission will be to advocate for Ukrainian interests on the international stage specifically regarding prisoners of war and those missing in action.
What the new ambassador will do
The new ambassador’s main task will be to coordinate the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ efforts to identify effective international mechanisms for influencing Russia.
Among the key areas of his work:
- preventing the torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war;
- ensuring the proper treatment of prisoners;
- accelerating the release of military personnel and civilians;
- protecting the rights of people who have gone missing;
- international advocacy for Ukrainian interests regarding prisoners and illegally detained persons.
The new ambassador will also work with international partners to intensify efforts to secure the return of Ukrainian citizens from Russian captivity.
Who was appointed to this position
Dmytro Ponomarenko has been appointed as Ambassador-at-Large.
He is a Ukrainian diplomat with significant experience working on the international stage, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region.
What is known about Dmytro Ponomarenko
Prior to his new appointment, Dmytro Ponomarenko held several important diplomatic posts.
Specifically:
- from 2016 to 2020, he served as Ukraine’s Consul General in Shanghai, China;
- from 2021 to 2025, he served as Ukraine’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea;
- since 2022, he has also served concurrently as Ukraine’s Ambassador to Mongolia.
Thus, the new position has been given to a diplomat with significant international experience, who has now been entrusted with one of the most sensitive areas of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ work.
Why this appointment is important
The creation of a separate position for an ambassador for prisoners of war and missing persons signals Ukraine’s intensified efforts at the international level specifically on this issue.
This is not merely about diplomatic presence, but about systematic coordination of efforts to:
- protect the rights of Ukrainian military personnel and civilians;
- identify tools for international pressure;
- mobilize the international community;
- accelerate the release of Ukrainians from captivity.
In fact, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has designated this issue as a separate strategic diplomatic priority.
What action plan has already been prepared
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that, together with the Public Council under the Coordination Headquarters, a joint action plan for 2026 has already been developed.
It includes a system of advocacy measures on the international stage to mobilize the global community to protect the rights of Ukrainian military personnel and civilians held in Russian captivity.
In other words, the new ambassador’s work will not be merely formal but will be integrated into an already prepared diplomatic and human rights plan.
What will be the main focus
One of the main priorities will be the search for international mechanisms that will allow pressure to be exerted on Russia to prevent the torture of Ukrainian prisoners.
Another priority will be ensuring the proper treatment of Ukrainians held captive and the swift release of both combatants and civilians deprived of their personal liberty.
Separate attention will be given to the issue of missing persons, whose rights also require constant protection and international attention.
