They discussed the protection of the rights of children forcibly displaced to the TOT or illegally deported from Ukraine. In particular, measures may be adopted to determine their whereabouts and return them to the territory controlled by Ukraine, to establish the facts of illegal adoption, etc.

They also discussed the importance of recording the criminal actions of the russian federation in refusing to return Ukrainian children.

The meeting on implementing the Bring Kids Back UA Action Plan was attended by representatives of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine, the Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine, central executive authorities, law enforcement agencies, and UNICEF in Ukraine.

The audience was informed that since martial law’s introduction in mid-October 2023, the National Police had received 18,967 reports of missing Ukrainian children.

“So we need a state decision on their evacuation. Firstly, the status of children in the settlements is not controlled by the Ukrainian authorities,” emphasized Vice Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk.

The official noted that it is very important to get all the information about them. And international partners should contribute to this. The UNICEF representative in Ukraine confirmed the organization’s readiness to help develop evacuation mechanisms and cooperate with all stakeholders.

In addition, the participants of the meeting emphasized that to ensure the safe return of children, it is necessary to provide them with comfortable conditions. And also to prepare appropriate psychological, medical, and material support.