From May 19-22, 2024, a Ukrainian delegation led by Daria Herasymchuk, Advisor and Commissioner of the President of Ukraine for Children’s Rights and Rehabilitation, visited Argentina. This visit was part of the "Stolen Voices" information campaign, initiated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The delegation, which included two teenagers affected by Russian aggression and Mykola Lytvynenko from the Coordination Center for Family Education and Child Care Development, met with Argentine government officials, EU representatives, and local communities. Ukrainian teenagers Ivan Matkovskyi and Vladyslav Buriak shared their traumatic experiences under Russian aggression, calling on Argentina to join efforts against the aggressor.
Daria Herasymchuk highlighted the critical need for the fourth point of the Peace Formula proposed by President Zelenskyy, emphasizing the importance of rescuing Ukraine’s children from Russian abduction. Argentina assured that they are considering joining the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.
In meetings, Herasymchuk discussed six scenarios of child abduction by Russia and noted that only nearly 400 children have been returned. She also introduced the Bring Kids Back UA plan, addressing all aspects of the abduction issue, from locating and returning children to their reintegration and advocacy.
The "Stolen Voices" campaign, supported by the Office of the President of Ukraine and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aims to inform the global community about Russia's crimes against Ukrainian children and secure their safe return.
"Joint efforts and knowledge exchange with institutions like in Argentina are crucial to solving this issue," Herasymchuk emphasized. "Today, Ukrainian children suffer from Russian aggression. Tomorrow, it could be children from another country if we do not fight the absolute evil that Russia represents."