Background Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, an estimated 20,000 Ukrainian children have been unlawfully deported and forcibly transferred to Russia and the temporarily occupied territories since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Many have been forced to change their identity, placed for adoption and given the aggressor’s citizenship. Despite international efforts, just over 2,100 children have so far been returned to Ukraine. The fate of tens of thousands more Ukrainian children is unknown: they remain trapped, threatened and forced to deny their identities. The European Union is committed to ensuring that every Ukrainian child that was unlawfully taken by Russia returns home. About the high-level meeting As announced by President von der Leyen in the 2025 State of the Union Address, the representatives of the European Union, Ukraine, Canada and international partners will meet on 11 May 2026, in Brussels, for the high-level meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.The meeting will focus on:advancing concrete actions to secure the return of these childrenhelping them recover and rebuild their livesholding Russia accountable for its heinous acts. Who will take part? The meeting will bring together: EU High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas, European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha, and the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anandministers and senior officials from coalition countries, representatives of EU institutions and Ukrainian authoritiesinternational partners and organisations active in supporting Ukraine’s children Aims of the high-level meeting The meeting aims to strengthen international efforts and further pressure Russia to ensure the safe return of all affected children.Five key actions are planned: Verify and monitor the situationBuild systems to verify and monitor cases of unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred children through international cooperation.Hold Russia accountable for its actionsSupport Ukraine in investigating and trying those responsible for indoctrination and militarisation of Ukrainian children.Impose further sanctions on RussiaIntroduce new EU sanctions related to deported and forcibly transferred children.Return and reintegration of childrenSupport children’s return and reintegration, including through reforming care systems and strengthening family services.Mobilise global actionBuild on the EU-backed UN resolution to drive momentum and strengthen partnerships with third countries What the EU has already done for Ukrainian children Supporting Ukrainian children as one of the most vulnerable groups has been a key part of the EU’s assistance to Ukraine, including €100 million dedicated to support safe access to educationmore than 380 school buses donated1.5 million textbooks delivered €200 million provided for school meals In EU Member States, the EU is also funding projects through civil society partners and UN agencies that benefit Ukrainian refugee children, promoting social inclusion, education and mental health.The EU has imposed hard-hitting sanctions on more than 60 individuals complicit in the forced deportation, transfer, indoctrination and re-education of Ukrainian children.Together with UNICEF, the EU has allocated more than €10 million to the Ukrainian prosecutors’ office to support the return and reintegration of unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred children. Related links EU humanitarian support to UkraineSchool buses for UkraineBring Kids BackFactsheet - EU solidarity with Ukraine
As announced by President von der Leyen in the 2025 State of the Union Address, the representatives of the European Union, Ukraine, Canada and international partners will meet on 11 May 2026, in Brussels, for the high-level meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.The meeting will focus on:advancing concrete actions to secure the return of these childrenhelping them recover and rebuild their livesholding Russia accountable for its heinous acts.
Verify and monitor the situationBuild systems to verify and monitor cases of unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred children through international cooperation.
Hold Russia accountable for its actionsSupport Ukraine in investigating and trying those responsible for indoctrination and militarisation of Ukrainian children.
Impose further sanctions on RussiaIntroduce new EU sanctions related to deported and forcibly transferred children.
Return and reintegration of childrenSupport children’s return and reintegration, including through reforming care systems and strengthening family services.
Mobilise global actionBuild on the EU-backed UN resolution to drive momentum and strengthen partnerships with third countries
