The issue of Ukrainian children illegally deported and displaced by Russia must remain in the focus of international attention. This was emphasized by Dariia Zarivna, Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine and Chief Operating Officer of Bring Kids Back UA, during a meeting with media representatives.
“For Ukraine, the return of deported children is an extremely important humanitarian priority. Children must not become a bargaining chip. Simply put, we cannot trade abducted children for territories or nuclear power plants,” she said.
Ukraine has consistently raised the issue of abducted children at the highest international level, including in its contacts with the United States. Thanks to the state’s consistent position, this issue – together with the release of military and civilian prisoners – has been included in the official negotiation track. In particular, it was reflected in the joint statement following the meeting between the Ukrainian and U.S. delegations, as well as in the outcomes of expert-level talks between Ukraine and the United States in Saudi Arabia.
Dariia Zarivna noted that one of the biggest challenges remains locating these Ukrainian children. To date, Ukraine has managed to bring home 1,269 children. This has been achieved through the mediation of third countries and close cooperation between the state and non-governmental organizations carrying out rescue missions.
The Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President stressed that President Zelenskyy’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative brings together the efforts of government bodies, civil society, and international partners.
Dariia Zarivna also underlined President Zelenskyy’s principled position on the necessity of reintegration and rehabilitation of children after their return – particularly psychological rehabilitation.
“No child who has been brought back – even if they have lost their parents – ends up in an institutional facility. They immediately return to their relatives or are placed in family-based forms of care,” she emphasized.