Return of Ukrainian Children

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, an estimated 20,000 Ukrainian children have been unlawfully deported and forcibly transferred to Russia and the temporarily occupied territories. Many have been forced to change their identity, placed for adoption and given the aggressor’s citizenship. Despite international efforts, just over 2,100 children have so far been returned to Ukraine. The fate of tens of thousands more Ukrainian children is unknown: they remain trapped, threatened and forced to deny their identities.

Now, the international community is uniting to return them. On 11th May 2026, the representatives of the European Union, Ukraine, Canada and international partners met in Brussels for the high-level meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.

The meeting focused on:

• advancing concrete actions to secure the return of these children.
• helping them recover and rebuild their lives.
• holding Russia accountable for its heinous acts.

Find more information on the European Commission's official website.