World leaders demand justice for abducted Ukrainian children: the first meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children took place in Kyiv today.
The inaugural gathering of the Coalition was opened by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who noted: "The forced deportation is one of the most cynical crimes of this war. Children are not merely 'taken away' from the occupied territories of Ukraine. Russia deliberately attempts to sever any connection children have with Ukraine, with their relatives, and their loved ones. Children are taught lies about Ukraine and this war. They are placed for illegal adoption, even when they say they have relatives here, in Ukraine, and try to restore contact with their families".
Leaders of world nations, representatives of foreign governments and parliaments, international human rights advocates, as well as public and cultural figures, participated in the inaugural meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children both in person and via video links.
Andriy Yermak, Chief of Staff of President Zelenskyy, stated, “It is extremely important to work together on the development of mechanisms of international law that will enable the return of children. This issue is urgent. This work must be done quickly, because the children are growing up, and the Russians will continue to commit these crimes".
In particular, solidarity and support for Ukraine in the return of our children were expressed by the President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the President of Lithuania Gitanas Nauseda, the President of Slovakia Zuzana Chaputova, the Prime Minister of Ireland Leo Varadkar, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Canada Melanie Jolie, as well as and many other countries and organizations.
The creation of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children was initiated during a meeting of national security and foreign policy advisors in Malta to implement the Peace Formula of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The goal of the coalition's first meeting is to determine practical steps by member states to support Ukraine in its mission to bring deported and forcibly displaced children back home. It also aims to engage coalition countries in implementing specific projects and commitments to ensure the safe repatriation, rehabilitation, and integration of affected children.