On February 4, Deputy Minister Mariana Betsa participated in an online meeting on coordinating international efforts to return illegally deported and forcibly displaced Ukrainian children. The meeting was initiated by Stephen Doughty, Minister of State for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

The meeting was also attended by high-level officials from Canada, the European Union, the United States, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Austria, Slovenia, as well as representatives of other countries.

In her remarks, Mariana Betsa thanked the partners for their strong support and called for further consolidation of joint efforts to ensure the return of Ukrainian children. She emphasized the need to increase international pressure on the Russian Federation in response to its ongoing criminal actions against Ukrainian children and its systematic policy aimed at destroying their Ukrainian identity.

The Deputy Minister drew particular attention to the UN General Assembly resolution "Return of Ukrainian Children," adopted on December 3, 2025 – an important document that serves as a powerful signal from the entire international community to Russia regarding the need for the immediate, unconditional, and safe return of Ukrainian children to their homeland.

Participants of the meeting paid special attention to the upcoming Summit of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. Ukraine expects the outcome of the Summit to include, inter alia, enhanced cooperation in tracing Ukrainian children, the expansion of sanctions against individuals and entities involved in their deportation, and strengthened efforts to bring those responsible to justice.

Foreign partners emphasized the importance of keeping the issue of returning Ukrainian children high on the international agenda, further developing cooperation in this area, and providing the necessary assistance to Ukraine.

The meeting reaffirmed the unwavering solidarity of partner countries with Ukraine in efforts to secure the return of Ukrainian children.