Zelensky Says Coalition to Return Abducted Ukrainian Children Nears 50 Countries

At a Brussels meeting co-chaired by Ukraine, Canada and EU officials, partners discussed efforts to bring home Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, document crimes and support reintegration. Zelensky urged continued global pressure on Moscow as Switzerland and Cyprus joined the initiative and the UK, Canada and EU announced new sanctions. Make us preferred on Google Flip Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiga (R) and EU High Representative and Vice-President for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas (L) attend a press conference in Kyiv on March 31, 2026. (Photo by Tetiana DZHAFAROVA / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google President Volodymyr Zelensky said the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children has grown to nearly 50 countries, with Switzerland and Cyprus joining the initiative during a high-level meeting in Brussels on Monday.  The third high-level meeting of the coalition was co-hosted by Ukraine, the European Union and Canada. It was attended by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and representatives of 63 countries and international organizations, according to the Presidential Office. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . Speaking by video address to participants, Zelensky thanked the EU and partner countries for helping Ukraine investigate the abduction of children by Russia, return them home and support their recovery. “Every case is the story of a real child – and a real family,” Zelensky said. “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.” Zelensky emphasized that Russia had abducted thousands of Ukrainian children, hidden them, separated them from their families and tried to teach them to hate Ukraine. “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,’” he said. “If a country commits such crimes against children, it means it is capable of any crime,” Zelensky added. “And that is exactly why this challenge requires a global response.” The third meeting of the Coalition was co-chaired by Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. The coalition was launched on Feb. 2, 2024, to support the safe return and reintegration of Ukrainian children unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred by Russia. According to the Presidential Office, 2,134 children have been brought home since the initiative began. According to Ukrainian leader, children are returning almost every month, but many more still need to be found and brought 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,” Zelensky said. He urged partners to continue supporting Ukraine’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative, including through the Rapid Response Instrument and projects focused on tracing, reintegration, rehabilitation and strategic communications. “The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Putin and his accomplices in the abduction of children,” Zelensky noted.  The meeting coincided with new sanctions by the United Kingdom, Canada and the European Union against Russian entities and individuals involved in the abduction of Ukrainian children. The UK imposed restrictions on 85 individuals and legal entities, Canada sanctioned 23 individuals and five organizations, and the EU package included 16 individuals and seven organizations. The EU said its sanctions targeted those responsible for the unlawful deportation, forced transfer, forced assimilation, indoctrination, militarized education, unlawful adoption and removal of Ukrainian children to Russia or Russian-occupied territories. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.