Who is Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's ombudsman walking a fine line with Russia

Dmytro Lubinets, the Ombudsman of Ukraine, has been tasked with a delicate balancing act regarding his interactions with Russia. One of his most notable humanitarian accomplishments was the evacuation of civilians from Oleshky, a city still under Russian occupation in Kherson Oblast. This operation, carried out in late October, was made possible by a temporary ceasefire agreement between Kyiv and Moscow that lasted five days.

Lubinets' approach to communicating with Russian officials, including a recent handshake and exchange of pleasantries with his Russian counterpart, Yana Lantratova, has drawn criticism from some Ukrainians. Despite the controversy, Lubinets has maintained that his role as an ombudsman requires him to keep communication channels open, as the lives and health of Ukrainian citizens depend on this position and the communication that comes with it.

Born in Volnovakha, a city that fell under Russian occupation at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Lubinets studied law and international relations. He began his political career in 2010 and was elected to parliament in 2014, becoming an independent candidate in 2019 and joining the For the Future group. Before his appointment as ombudsman in July 2022, he had chaired the parliamentary committee on human rights and de-occupation and reintegration of occupied territories.

Lubinets has faced criticism from anti-corruption activists for his parliamentary record, particularly his role in an appeal that led to the Constitutional Court striking down criminal liability for illicit enrichment. Despite these challenges, he has largely maintained his promise to focus on his work rather than politics. The Ombudsman's Human Rights Commissioner is currently set to meet with Lantratova at the White House on November 5 under the mediation of US First Lady Melania Trump.