On March 18, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Mariana Betsa held a meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Ukraine from the countries participating in the “Partnership for a Strong Ukraine” programme - the United Kingdom, Canada, Estonia, Norway, Switzerland and Sweden.

The participants discussed preparations for the upcoming Summit of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, scheduled for May 2026 in Brussels and co-organised by Ukraine, Canada and the EU.

Together with the Head of the President of Ukraine’s initiative Bring Kids Back UA, Maksym Maksymov, Mariana Betsa briefed representatives of partner countries on the further activities of the Coalition for the return of illegally deported and forcibly displaced Ukrainian children, as well as on measures to implement the UN General Assembly resolution “Return of Ukrainian Children”, adopted in December 2025. The resolution has become a strong signal from the international community to Russia regarding the need for the immediate, unconditional and safe return of Ukrainian children.

The participants of the meeting emphasized the importance of further consolidating international efforts to ensure the return of Ukrainian children, which should remain among the priorities of the international agenda. They agreed to continue cooperation in this area and to provide the necessary support to Ukrainian authorities and civil society in the process of returning and rehabilitating Ukrainian children deported by the Russian Federation.