Valentina Matviyenko, Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, participated in the International Summit of Women Speakers held in Geneva despite Western sanctions. Addressing the forum, she accused Ukrainian officials of launching attacks on peaceful territories in Donbas.
According to Matviyenko, Moscow was "forced to intervene in the conflict zone" with the aim of "stopping the bloodshed." She blamed Western countries for "waging an information war" and "escalating anti-Russian rhetoric," calling for the lifting of sanctions. Additionally, she invited foreign leaders to visit Donbas.
As reported by TASS, the Russian delegation led by Matviyenko included senators Konstantin Kosachev, Liliya Gumerova, Andrey Denisov, as well as State Duma deputies Pyotr Tolstoy and Leonid Slutsky.
According to Swiss media, special permits were issued for delegates on the sanctions list. It should be noted that these individuals remain on the sanctions lists of Switzerland and the European Union.
