The state should develop effective mechanisms for protection and support of Ukrainian citizens residing in the temporarily occupied territories.

SBU Head Ivan Bakanov said this during the meeting with Heidi Grau – the new special representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office within the Trilateral Contact Group on the implementation of the peace plan in eastern Ukraine and Martin Sajdik who has held this position previously.

"There are a lot of people in the temporarily occupied territories, who, despite the actions of the invaders, do not give up hope to live in united Ukraine and consider themselves Ukrainians. So, we need to support them, to show that the state cares for them and it is grateful for a pro-Ukrainian position, “ Ivan Bakanov mentioned. He added that this issue is particularly relevant in the context of the illegal "Russian passportization" in the territory of the so-called LNR/DNR.

Also, the Head of the Service thanked the representatives of the Trilateral Contact Group for their work.

Separately, the parties discussed the possibility of deepening further cooperation with the OSCE to speedy achieving peace in the east of Ukraine.