The EU, Ukraine, Canada and their partners are joining forces to return Ukrainian children who have been forcibly removed and illegally deported

On 11 May, representatives of the European Union, together with Ukraine and Canada, organised a ‘High-Level Meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children’. This initiative was announced by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in her 2025 State of the Union address.

President von der Leyen stated: “Tens of thousands of Ukrainian children captured by Russia remain separated from their country and their loved ones. We will not rest until every single one of them is reunited with their families. With €50 million, we are giving concrete backing to our commitment: strengthening protection systems, providing education and ensuring justice for the stolen children. The return of every child must be part of any peace agreement.”

On behalf of the EU, the High Representative and Vice-President of the Commission, Kaja Kallas, and the Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, joined representatives from some 60 countries to reaffirm a shared commitment to step up efforts to ensure the return of all Ukrainian children forcibly relocated or illegally deported by Russia, and to ensure full accountability for these crimes committed by Russia.

More information: European Commission.