The EU, Ukraine and Canada will co-host a high-level meeting on the return of Ukrainian children

The EU, together with Ukraine and Canada, will co-host a high-level meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children on 11 May in Brussels.

On this occasion, the President of the European Commission, Ursulavon der Leyen,stated:“Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has cost more than territory and lives: it has stolen childhoods. More than 20,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly taken from their families and homes. On 11 May, together with Ukraine and Canada, we will unite the world to demand justice. We will work together to locate every single one of these children, return them to their homes and ensure that those responsible are held to account. These children are the future of Ukraine and we will not rest until each and every one of them returns home.”

High Representative/Vice-President KajaKallasand Commissioner for Enlargement MartaKos, on behalf of the EU, together with Ukraine’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha, and Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, will co-chair the high-level meeting to support Ukraine’s efforts in locating, returning and reintegrating children, whilst ensuring accountability for Russia’s crimes. Participants will also discuss how to step up coordinated sanctions against those responsible for these crimes. During the meeting, partners will also examine the recommendations drawn up by civil society and the expert community during the Civil Society Expert Day, which will take place in Kyiv on 30 April.

According to the Ukrainian authorities, more than 20,000 Ukrainian children have been illegally deported and forcibly transferred to Russia and the temporarily occupied territories since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. This, coupled with Russia’s systematic efforts to conceal their identities and whereabouts, requires sustained international support. It is essential to ensure that those responsible for these egregious violations of international humanitarian law are brought to justice.

Background

Announced by President Ursulavon der Leyenin her2025 State of the Union address, the meeting will bring together partners from around the world with the clear mission of returning all Ukrainian children who were illegally abducted by Russia, helping them to reintegrate into their families, culture and society, as well as holding Russia to account for its criminal acts.

The European Union, together with its partners, supports Ukraine in its efforts to ensure the return of all Ukrainian children to their homes. The International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children was launched in Kyiv in February 2024 and is co-chaired by Ukraine and Canada; the EU became a full member in September 2025. The International Coalition has played a key role in mobilising international support and keeping the issue in the global spotlight. It brings together 47 countries and international organisations and serves as a platform to coordinate the diplomatic, humanitarian, legal and advocacy efforts of foreign governments working alongside Ukraine to address the issue of the deportation of children.

More information: European Commission.