First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska delivered a video address to the participants of the international forum “Three Years, Countless Futures: Protecting Freedom and Ukraine’s Children.”
The event was held at the Ukraine Center in Vilnius, which operates under the patronage of the First Ladies of Ukraine and Lithuania. The goal of the forum is to draw attention to the return and reintegration of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.
"I want to talk about each of the 599 children killed by Russia in the past three years so that they do not become statistics. Because the worst thing about war is its normalization. It is difficult, but it is possible to protect Ukrainian children who are still alive. For example, to bring back those captured by Russia. We need the efforts of literally every adult in the world," the First Lady said.
In particular, Olena Zelenska emphasized Russia's militarization and indoctrination of young Ukrainians, citing several specific examples.
“In numerous camps and similar institutions, Russia is deliberately militarizing abducted Ukrainian children, processing their minds and using them as soldiers against their true homeland,” the President's wife said.
The First Lady called on the participants of the forum to get involved in the return and reintegration of Ukrainian children.
"You know that, on Ukraine's initiative, a coalition for the return of children has been created, with 41 countries already joining. However, mere creation is not enough. We must act. We can and should help reintegrate those who have already come back. Because their psychological and social losses from what they have endured are such that they cannot cope on their own. In Ukraine, the Bring Kids Back UA program, created on the initiative of the President of Ukraine, is working for this purpose," Olena Zelenska said.
She also expressed hope for an increase in the number of countries participating in the Coalition and their decisive actions.
"The third year of Ukraine's defense against a full-scale Russian invasion is coming to an end. What do I hope for, aside from the heroism of Ukrainian men and women? For the awareness and empathy of all responsible individuals from different countries. Those who care about what life will be like and how their children will see and experience it," the First Lady concluded.
The forum was also attended by Advisor – Presidential Commissioner for Children's Rights and Child Rehabilitation Daria Herasymchuk