Peru's Foreign Minister Arrives in Moscow: To Meet Lavrov on November 9 Over Some 450 Peruvians Recruited Into the Russian Army
MOSCOW — Peru's Foreign Minister Carlos Espá has arrived in Moscow and is scheduled to meet Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Monday, November 9, with the whereabouts and condition of hundreds of Peruvian citizens recruited into the Russian army and fighting in Ukraine at the top of the agenda, Peru's state news agency Andina reported.
In a message posted through the Foreign Ministry's social accounts, Espá said the main concern was the hundreds of compatriots serving in the Russian armed forces, and that news of where they are and how they are faring is what their families most need. The ministry said the meeting would review bilateral issues and that Espá would raise the case of the Peruvians enlisted in the Russian army with Lavrov.
When he announced the trip on November 1, Espá said about 450 Peruvian citizens were known to be involved, recruited with lies and deception by transnational criminal organisations that promised them jobs and ended with them fighting in a war that was not theirs. The Foreign Ministry has so far secured the return of 50 Peruvians, confirmed 10 deaths, and held more than 35 meetings with families. Supreme Resolution No. 309-2026-PCM, signed on October 31 and published in the official gazette on November 1, authorised the Moscow trip from November 6 to 11, with meetings set for November 7 to 9.
The agenda also includes the use of Russian-built Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopters during El Niño emergencies, and completing negotiations on an agreement for mutual recognition of academic degrees and titles, so that Peruvians who studied in Russia can have their qualifications recognised at home.
Peruvian prosecutors opened an investigation this year into a human-trafficking network that lured citizens with false job offers to fight for Russia; under Peruvian law, citizens must obtain Foreign Ministry permission before serving in a foreign military. The Russian embassy in Lima has previously acknowledged that Peruvians signed contracts to join the Russian armed forces.
(Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Peru)
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Peru
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
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