First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska took part in the Justice Conference held in Kyiv.
“When the full-scale Russian invasion began four years ago, children were being born in bomb shelters already in the very first days. We followed every such story – they frightened us and at the same time gave hope that life is stronger than war. Today those children are already four. Their entire lives have passed under the sound of air raid sirens. And Russia’s aggression continues. It is important to use every opportunity to remind the international community about the children killed and injured by Russia,” the President’s wife noted.
Olena Zelenska paid special attention to the issue of young Ukrainians abducted by Russia. A separate panel of the conference was devoted to bringing these children home and to the mechanisms of the President of Ukraine’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative. Participants discussed the need to increase pressure on Russia, as well as to create effective international coordination that will make it possible to return the children home and ensure their rehabilitation.
During the opening of this panel, the First Lady noted that within the Bring Kids Back UA initiative a comprehensive reintegration program for returned children is gradually being developed.
The system of psychological assistance is expanding both at the state level and thanks to private initiatives. In particular, the Olena Zelenska Foundation funded six sessions of the Voices of Children camp in 2024 and four more in 2025.
The Foundation is also implementing the Room for Childhood project, which provides for the construction of fully equipped houses for large foster families. Thanks to this, 18 families have already received a new home. Another 20 houses are under construction.
Ukraine also has initiatives aimed at developing alternatives to orphanages, including Social Housing for Youth and the supported living service.
“It is impossible to compensate children for the years of childhood stolen by Russia’s war. But we must at least try to heal their wounds. There is something without which healing is impossible. It is justice. Only the feeling that the world remains just restores the strength to go on living, to build the future, to plan, and to trust tomorrow,” Olena Zelenska emphasized.