Ukraine Seeks to Maintain Global Focus on Return of Abducted Children

Ukraine is actively leveraging international platforms to ensure the issue of Russian-abducted Ukrainian children remains a priority on the global agenda. Mariana Betsa, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, emphasized this strategy following a recent summit of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children in Brussels. The meeting, initiated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, aimed to sustain momentum after a UN General Assembly resolution adopted in late 2025. Betsa noted that despite competing global crises, such as those in the Middle East, it was crucial to highlight these abductions as war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Brussels summit featured an unprecedented ministerial-level gathering with 63 delegations, including over 20 foreign ministers. Co-chaired by the European Commission and Canada, the coalition focuses on mobilizing international support to identify, verify, and facilitate the return and rehabilitation of abducted children. Key attendees included EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand. Ukraine’s ultimate goal is to develop concrete mechanisms for accountability and reintegration, ensuring that responsible parties are held accountable under international law.