Dear Ursula, dear Mark, dear friends,
I am grateful to the EU and every country taking part in our Coalition to bring back children – children who were abducted by Russia.
It matters that we share a common purpose – to investigate these abductions, to return the children, and to help them rebuild normal lives with their families. This is not something abstract. Every case is the story of a real child – and a real family. And by saving these children, we give a chance not only to them – we give a chance to our countries, so that the values that define our lives do not turn to dust. And this raises a fundamental question – how did it become possible for Russians to simply abduct tens of thousands of children, hide them, tear them away from their families, and then teach them to hate the very country they were abducted from? When a country becomes such an evil force – a force that does not stop even at destroying the lives of children – this cannot be treated as just a regional problem, something happening “somewhere far away”. If a country commits such crimes against children, it means it is capable of any crime. And that is exactly why this challenge requires a global response.
Now we truly have a global coalition – from Canada and Latin America, from the United States and Argentina, to Europe and Japan. And today, Switzerland and Cyprus are joining our coalition. We now have almost 50 countries standing together in this coalition – and I am grateful for that.
Almost every month, we see results. Children come home. But many more still need to come home. We must clearly document where the children are, track the full chain of abduction and the cover-up of this crime, bring the children back, and help them find themselves again and return to normal life. None of this is easy. But it is good that our Bring Kids Back UA initiative is working. It is good that you are active – at the level of the European Commission, European institutions, international organizations, and the leadership of every country. And I am especially grateful to the First Ladies who help to secure the release of these children. All of this must continue.
Please continue to support the specific, practical work of Bring Kids Back UA – including through the Rapid Response Instrument, and through projects in tracing, reintegration and rehabilitation, and strategic communications: this issue – the return of our abducted children – must stay at the top of the media and political agenda. And there must be sufficient resources for legal work. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Putin and his accomplices in the abduction of children. This is a global case – and it must have global consequences. Everyone who commits crimes against children must truly feel that this is wrong. Today, we have new sanctions against those who abduct children and try to normalize it. And the pressure on Russia must not ease. Sanctions work. And the world has power. Please use it right.
Thank you, dear leaders! Thank you to the Bring Kids Back UA team. And thank you to all journalists, civil society leaders, and to politicians – to everyone who helps protect lives.
Glory to Ukraine!