(MENAFN- UkrinForm) She stated this in a comment to Ukrinform after the UN General Assembly adopted the resolution“Return of Ukrainian Children”.

Betza described the voting results - 92 votes in favor - as“a real victory for Ukrainian diplomacy in today's difficult geopolitical circumstances.” According to her, it is telling that only 12 countries, including Russia, voted against the return of Ukrainian children.

She noted that the resolution, prepared by 48 countries, condemns the forced deportation and displacement of Ukrainian children, as this constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law.

The document obliges Russia to unconditionally return all children, and grants the UN Secretary-General a mandate to coordinate UN structures, seek full information about the children's whereabouts and condition, and ensure access for international humanitarian organizations.

Betza stressed that for the first time in history, the UN has adopted a separate resolution dedicated specifically to the return of children, which highlights the global nature of the problem.

“A just peace is impossible without the return of every child, and the issue of their return is a component of the broader peace process,” the deputy minister emphasized.

According to her, despite unprecedented pressure from Russia on Global South countries, which sought to prevent them from supporting the document, the voting results showed that disinformation campaigns and blackmail did not work. Betza called the states that voted against a“traditional axis of evil,” stressing that other countries that did not support the document either abstained or did not participate in the vote.

She particularly noted the support of the resolution by the Republic of South Africa, calling it“a very significant result.”

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The deputy foreign minister also underscored the importance of the European Union's and Canada's co-facilitation in preparing the resolution, as well as support from the United States.

“We are grateful for the leadership of President Donald Trump and the United States in peace negotiations and in achieving a just peace,” she said.

Betza separately highlighted the broad, cross-regional support for the document – from countries of Latin America and Europe to certain states of Africa, Asia, and island nations of the Pacific.

She said that she personally held about 30 meetings in a day and a half with delegations from Asian, African, Latin American, and Arab countries. Her key argument was that the issue of children goes beyond politics.

“This is not about politics, it is about humanity,” she emphasized.

Betza stated that no child should be separated from their parents, and that every state has a duty to facilitate the return of Ukrainian children.

She also stressed the need to ensure Russia's future accountability for daily war crimes, in particular violations of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The adopted resolution is an important political instrument on this path.

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As reported by Ukrinform, the UN General Assembly, during a special emergency session on Wednesday, adopted the“Return of Ukrainian Children” resolution by an overwhelming majority.

Out of 193 UN member states, 92 voted in favor (initially 91, with Costa Rica joining later), 12 voted against, and 57 abstained.

Photo: MFA of Ukraine

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