Yesterday, stories of children who have been returned to Ukraine were heard at the UN headquarters.
The Permanent Missions of Ukraine, Czech Republic, Poland, Canada, Latvia, Netherlands, Estonia, and the EU Delegation to the UN jointly held a closed meeting to discuss the critical issue of the fate of Ukrainian children kidnapped by the Russian Federation.
At the meeting attended by Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Melanie Jolie, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Hanke Bruins Slot, Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the UN Sergiy Kyslytsia and Ambassador of the fundraising platform United24 Liev Schreider, ideas were voiced on measures to expedite the return of Ukrainian children from Russian deportation, illegal displacement, and forced detention, as well as the restoration of their rights.
During her speech, Advisor and Commissioner of the President of Ukraine for Children’s Rights and Rehabilitation Daria Herasymchuk noted: "The efforts to repatriate children have so far led to the successful return of only 388 children. This has been made possible through the joint work of various state institutions and non-governmental organizations. Children who have been returned tell us their stories and give us the opportunity to analyze specific scenarios or techniques of abduction. The Russian Federation employs a whole arsenal of methods for kidnapping Ukrainian children, indicating a deliberate state policy."
As Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba emphasized, Ukraine is grateful to Canada, which has become a co-chair and to all 28 states that have already joined the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. Together, with joint efforts, we can do more and faster to help children.
All meetings within the "Stolen Voices" informational campaign are aimed at building a platform for establishing the truth, identifying criminals, and holding them accountable in order to return all kids to Ukraine.
Together, we must pledge to do everything in our power to help all Ukrainian children reunite with their families.