This transcript was automatically generated and may contain errors.

Thank you, honorable Members, as we hold this debate,

talks between Ukrainian and Russian officials have taken place in Abu Dhabi. This. Please allow Ms Kaja Kallas to speak.

The EU has always supported efforts for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

The only problem is that Russia shows no signs that it's ready to seriously negotiate.

The treatment of Ukrainian children over the last 4 years is the clearest example of Russia's total disregard for life.

It is Russian government policy, approved by Putin himself,

to deport Ukrainian children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia. Over 20,500 children have been illegally deported.

This year,

the OSCE published a report detailing a state orchestrated campaign in temporary occupied territories to erase the Ukrainian identity of children from early childhood onward.

All evidence points to a crime against humanity.

Back in 2025, I welcomed the Parliament's resolution on this topic,

but three MEPs voted against it, and there were 34 abstentions.

If the information you have by now does not convince you, I don't know what will.

In a sick and twisted turn of events.

Thank you, in a sick and twisted turn of events,

it is likely that stolen Ukrainian children are now being sent back by Russia to fight against Ukraine.

Russia can only run its horrific system of child deportation,

indoctrination and illegal adoption thanks to the network of people and entities.

That is why the European Union has sanctioned the people and entities responsible.

Most recently, we have extended the list to include more children's camps,

including Songda I International Children's Camp in North Korea, where Ukrainian children were found. Russia abducts children, North Korea indoctrinates them. That is how dictatorships divide labor.

In parallel, Europe's efforts to support Ukrainian children continue on other tracks.

Diplomacy ensures the world does not lose sight of these children.

In December 2025, the EU co-sponsored the UN General Assembly resolution which called on the UN Secretary General to engage directly with Russia to locate the children,

assess their health and legal status, and secure their return.

We need to see concrete follow up on this.

We have hosted and participated in multiple events, including the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children,

and this is important for awareness raising and sharing information on where our efforts need to focus next.

The European Union remains the biggest supporter of accountability efforts, including the work of the International Criminal Court,

and let us not forget that there are 2 ICC arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and Mariarosa Baroni for these crimes.

EU funding also supports Ukrainian children in a variety of ways.

Recent examples include close to EUR €30 million in humanitarian aid to support Ukrainian children and children's facilities, €10 million to provide education and learning support for children and teachers,

€5 million to restore access to local education systems in war affected communities,

and €4 million to deported.

Ukrainian children,

including €1.75 million for accountability efforts for crimes related to deportations.

The ultimate goal, of course, is to bring the kids home. International efforts are working.

As of this month, 2790 Ukrainian children have been returned,

including 13 children and teenagers last week.

One of them, Luka, had just reached 18. And received Russian military draft notice.

But each time a child comes home with the stories of the threats that they have endured,

psychological pressure and life threatening living conditions,

it is another reminder of why we must explore every window of opportunity.

The Oleki ceasefire shows that Russia can end the suffering of the Ukrainian people if it wants to.

Russia has claimed in the past to be carrying out humanitarian evocations,

but still the Russian's system exists to systematically repatriate Ukrainian children.

If Russia was serious about protecting Ukrainian children, it would immediately start with establishing safe,

regular communication between children and their parents, relatives, and legal guardians.

Honorable members, A negotiated end to Russia's illegal war of aggression must mitigate the security risk Russia poses to the European continent,

but it also must see the return of every Ukrainian child to their parents.

Failing to do so will leave a black mark on humanity forever. Thank you.