November 6, 2026
Slovakia Becomes 53rd Member of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children
Slovakia has joined the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, becoming its 53rd member. Slovakia had been involved in the Coalition’s work as an observer since 2024. Its decision to become a full member marks a further step in international cooperation to secure the safe return of Ukrainian children unlawfully deported and forcibly transferred by Russia.
Slovakia participated in key international meetings, including the high-level meeting in Brussels in May 2026 and the Pathways to Peace Conference in Toronto in September 2026. Its accession follows Bosnia and Herzegovina becoming the Coalition’s 50th member in June, New Zealand joining as the 51st member in August, and Honduras as the 52nd in September, reflecting growing international support for the return of Ukrainian children.
Beyond its participation in international discussions, Slovakia has already contributed to humanitarian efforts supporting Ukrainian children affected by Russia’s war. Throughout 2026, Slovak institutions, regional authorities and civil society organisations have supported recovery and rehabilitation programmes for Ukrainian children.
Russia continues to unlawfully deport and forcibly transfer Ukrainian children, separating them from their families and communities. Russia is deliberately seeking to erase the Ukrainian identity of deported and forcibly transferred children by imposing Russian citizenship, altering their identity documents, placing them with Russian families, and subjecting them to systematic indoctrination and militarisation. Russia conceals information about the children’s whereabouts and obstructs their return.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha welcomed Slovakia’s accession to the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children:
“I sincerely thank Slovakia and my colleague Juraj Blanár for this important decision. Slovakia’s accession strengthens our Coalition and reaffirms the international community’s shared position that Russia’s unlawful deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children are unacceptable. Every new member expands our ability to bring Ukrainian children back to Ukraine and increases international pressure on Russia. We cannot allow Ukrainian children to continue losing their childhood while waiting for the war to end. Their return must be an integral part of every effort towards a just peace and must under no circumstances become a bargaining chip. All those responsible for these crimes must be held accountable. Together with our partners, we will continue working until every Ukrainian child is back in Ukraine.”
Maksym Maksymov, Head of Bring Kids Back UA, highlighted the importance of practical cooperation:
“Every country that joins the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children strengthens our collective efforts: more diplomatic channels, greater pressure on Russia, and more tools to secure the return, rehabilitation and reintegration of Ukrainian children. Slovakia is now among them. Every Ukrainian child must be brought home.”
Juraj Blanár, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic:
“The Slovak Republic has long and consistently advocated for compliance with international law, including international humanitarian law, and for the protection of civilians. Children are among the most vulnerable victims of war, and their protection must be our shared priority.”
According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Justice, 20,651 cases of unlawful deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children have been officially confirmed. The OSCE Moscow Mechanism’s expert mission estimates that more than one million Ukrainian children remain under Russian control, including in temporarily occupied territories. Through efforts coordinated under the President of Ukraine’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative, 2,790 children have been returned home.
The Coalition’s expansion strengthens international cooperation to secure the return of Ukrainian children and hold those responsible accountable.