A meeting took place in Kyiv at the Child Rights Protection Center between Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak and General Keith Kellogg, Special Representative of the U.S. President for Ukraine and Russia. The event was also attended by the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets, Presidential Advisor and Commissioner for Children’s Rights and Child Rehabilitation Daria Herasymchuk, and Lady Helena Kennedy, Director of the Human Rights Institute of the International Bar Association and Co-Chair of the Task Force.
The meeting focused on massive human rights violations committed by the Russian Federation, particularly the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children and the detention of civilians in the temporarily occupied territories and in Russia.
Andriy Yermak presented the Bring Kids Back UA initiative launched by the President of Ukraine, outlining its comprehensive approach that unites government institutions, civil society, and international partners.
“The return of all Ukrainian children is directly linked to global security and justice. We are grateful that the United States has clearly recognized this issue as an essential part of any peaceful resolution,” stated the Head of the Presidential Office.
He also informed participants about Ukraine’s efforts within the negotiation track. On June 2, the Ukrainian side officially submitted to the Russian Federation an agreed initial list of several hundred children and formally requested their return.
“We have a firm position: children cannot be used as bargaining chips — not for territories, not for political concessions. This is a red line for the entire civilized world,” Andriy Yermak emphasized.
Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets highlighted the systemic nature of the unlawful detention of Ukrainian civilians, including children, in places of deprivation of liberty in both occupied territories and Russia.
“When Russia deliberately destroys Ukrainians, deports our children, and imprisons civilians, it is not only violating international humanitarian law — it is trampling on the very notion of humanity. To date, Ukraine has documented nearly 16,000 cases of unlawful detention of civilians. For almost 1,800 of them, we have confirmed data showing they are held in Russia. The fate of the rest remains unknown — they are considered missing. These crimes and disappearances have continued systematically since 2014. We urge our American partners to continue using every available tool — diplomatic, political, and humanitarian — to help secure their release,” said Dmytro Lubinets.
Daria Herasymchuk, Presidential Advisor and Commissioner for Children’s Rights and Child Rehabilitation, drew attention to the scale of Russia’s crimes against Ukrainian children — including killings, injuries, and sexual violence.
“Nearly 900 children have been killed as a result of Russia’s armed aggression, and more than 2,000 have been injured. We have documented at least 19 cases of sexual violence against children — the youngest victim was just four years old. We must do everything possible to stop these crimes and make sure Ukrainian children feel safe again,” stated Daria Herasymchuk.
Lady Helena Kennedy emphasized that the forcible transfer of Ukrainian children and the detention of civilians are serious violations of international humanitarian law that demand a strong response from the international community.
The Ukrainian side called on the United States to join efforts to create a humanitarian mechanism for the return of children and civilians, and to support the next joint statement of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.