Debates have begun in the European Parliament regarding Ukrainian children deported by russia and those remaining in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. Following the debates, the adoption of a relevant resolution is expected.
This was announced by Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Olena Kondratiuk, during her working visit to Brussels.
Ahead of the debates, the Deputy Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament met with the Vice-President of the European Parliament Ewa Kopacz.
On behalf of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and on her own behalf, Olena Kondratiuk expressed her gratitude to Ewa Kopacz and the European Parliament for organizing these debates and for their continued attention to the crimes committed by russia against Ukrainian children.
“It is not only about deportation and illegal displacement, but also forced adoption, militarization, and identity erasure. According to the latest data, 20 651 Ukrainian children have been deported or illegally displaced by russia. Another 1,6 million Ukrainian children remain under constant pressure in Ukraine's temporarily occupied territories by russia. Only 2,789 children were successfully returned,” noted the Deputy Speaker Olena Kondratiuk.
According to her, these debates and the expected adoption of a new resolution of the European Parliament on Ukrainian children were made possible through the personal efforts, advocation, and deep commitment of Ewa Kopazc.
“This is also a practical outcome of our agreements with the European Parliament leadership reached during the recent visit of a delegation of female Ukrainian MPs to Brussels,” emphasized Olena Kondratiuk.
She recalled that the issue of children had been raised during meetings with President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola and Vice-President Ewa Kopacz in September this year. The Ukrainian delegation had also requested debates in the European Parliament that would account for the new circumstances of these crimes — specifically focusing on the systemic militarization and indoctrination of Ukrainian children abducted by russia, as well as 1.6 million children in the temporarily occupied territories.
“Behind each debate and resolution lies effective interparliamentary diplomatic work. Most importantly, political resolutions must serve as a basis for concrete decisions at the level of the European Commission and EU Member States — namely, the strengthening and harmonization of sanctions against legal entities in russia, state-owned companies and institutions, occupation authorities, and specific individuals committing war crimes against Ukrainian children,” emphasized Deputy Speaker Olena Kondratiuk.