European Parliament Calls for the Return of Deportated and Forcibly Relocated Ukrainian Children
On November 12, 2026, the European Parliament adopted a resolution urging Russia to return Ukrainian children who have been deported or forcibly relocated. The resolution garnered the support of 536 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). It strongly condemns the systematic deportation, forced displacement, illegal adoption, and enforced Russification of these children.
By September 2026, there were 20,651 confirmed cases of Ukrainian children deported or forcibly moved by Russia. Thanks to the President’s initiative, Bring Kids Back UA, Ukraine has successfully repatriated 2,808 children. However, approximately 1.6 million Ukrainian children remain in Russian-occupied territories, where they face ongoing cultural assimilation, ideological indoctrination, and militarization.
Key Demands from the European Parliament
The European Parliament insists that Russia must immediately, safely, and unconditionally return all deported and forcibly relocated Ukrainian children. MEPs emphasize that ensuring the safe and unconditional return of these children is not only an urgent humanitarian obligation but also a critical part of international efforts to hold Russia accountable for its war crimes.
The Parliament recognizes Russia’s actions against Ukrainian children as meeting the legal criteria for genocide and calls on EU member states to officially acknowledge this designation. It also calls for expanding sanctions to target the entire Russian system involved in committing these crimes. Importantly, the return of Ukrainian children must not be used as a bargaining chip in peace negotiations or territorial compromises.
This resolution highlights the crucial importance of protecting children's rights amid ongoing conflict and brings humanitarian consequences of war to the forefront. Source: European Parliament
The calls for child repatriation and recognition of crimes committed underline growing international concern regarding human rights violations in armed conflicts. The EU’s response to this resolution could shape future diplomatic strategies and sanctions policies toward Russia.