Zelensky At International Coalition Meeting: Ukraine Has Returned 1,625 Children Abducted By Russia

(MENAFN- UkrinForm) Zelensky made the statement during a speech at the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, held in New York on the sidelines of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. The event was streamed on the official YouTube channel of the President's Office

Zelensky emphasized that forcibly removing children from one country and attempting to reeducate them for the benefit of another constitutes a clear violation of international law. He called for accountability and the full return of all abducted children.

He emphasized that while 1,625 children have already been returned, the goal remains to bring every abducted child back to Ukraine.

Zelensky described Russia's actions as a double crime: first abducting and deporting children, and now attempting to erase their culture, identity, and family ties.

He recalled that during negotiations in Turkey, Ukraine submitted a list of 339 abducted children, but Russia has yet to provide any information about their fate.

To address this, Ukraine is launching a tracking mechanism to gather data on forcibly displaced children in Russia and occupied territories.

Zelensky stressed that Russia is hiding the truth, that's why this work is essential.

He also urged international partners to increase pressure in every sanctions package on Russian officials, judges, propagandists, and others involved in the abduction and psychological manipulation of Ukrainian children.

First Lady Olena Zelenska also participated in the coalition meeting.

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