The statement asserts that the russian federation’s armed forces, military, and political leadership have committed genocide against the Ukrainian people. Additionally, the deliberate and systematic deportation of children by russia and belarus is considered a war crime under international law.

Estonian parliamentarians criticized russia’s decision to grant Ukrainian children citizenship through a simplified procedure, which forces them to change their identity.

They also supported Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s peace plan, which includes joint efforts between Ukrainian authorities and foreign governments to repatriate all Ukrainian citizens.

They also appreciated the work of the International Commission on the Return of Children to their Home Countries and called on all countries to facilitate this process.

The statement was published in response to PACE’s resolution on the situation of children in Ukraine, which was adopted about a month ago. The Ministry of Reintegration representatives participated in developing the document as part of the Coordination Headquarters for the Protection of Children’s Rights under Martial Law, chaired by Vice Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk.

The Assembly called on national parliaments to recognize the deportation of Ukrainian children as a genocide crime. They should adopt statements to this effect.

The Ministry of Reintegration is urging other European governments and parliaments to follow Estonia’s lead and support Ukraine in its efforts to bring back deported Ukrainian children.