Russia has abducted thousands of Ukrainian children and is attempting to strip them of their national identity, which is why it is crucial to bring them home as quickly as possible, before the occupiers succeed in reshaping their minds. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this during his address to participants of the Civil Society and Expert Day.
The Head of State thanked the Bring Kids Back UA team and everyone who is helping bring young Ukrainians home. Russia has abducted thousands of children, tearing them away from their families, their country, and their homes.
“This is one of the most cynical Russian war crimes: the systematic, calculated transfer of Ukrainian children, scattering them across Russia, concealing their fate, “reprogramming” their culture, and continuously, shamelessly subjecting them to militarization. The aim is to make Ukrainian children forget that they are Ukrainians, so they can be sent to fight against Ukraine, and against anyone else whom Russia’s masters point to,” the President noted.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed that it is extremely important to bring Ukrainian children home before the Russians break them.
“Thanks to our Bring Kids Back UA initiative, we have secured 2,126 returns. We will continue this work. We have engaged strong international mediators to help bring the children home,” the Head of State emphasized.
The President expressed special gratitude to every country that has joined the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, as well as to leaders, First Ladies, diplomats, international organizations, and journalists for their support in this effort.
“The life and freedom of every rescued child is a defeat of the very idea of war – a defeat of the desire to destroy life itself. Life must prevail,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
This event, organized by the Bring Kids Back UA team, was held for the first time. It brought together representatives of civil society organizations, experts, and researchers working on the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. The discussion focused on locating children, return mechanisms, reintegration after return, documentation and accountability for those responsible for the abductions, and the role of children in the peace process.