Ukraine, over 50 allies sign pledge on return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia
"With the treatment of Ukrainian children, of POWs and detained civilians within the Russian Federation, there is actually a rather limited amount of coincidence involved. It is a systemic challenge," Norwegian State Secretary Eivind Vad Petersson said.
Fifty nations and four entities signed a pledge on September 29, demanding the release of Ukrainian prisoners of war, unlawfully detained civilians, and children abducted by Russia. Russia's forced inclusion of Ukrainian children from occupied territories in its military is condemned, alongside the militarization of children in temporarily occupied Ukrainian regions.
The Toronto Pledge highlights the detrimental impacts on these children's identity, well-being, family unity, human rights, and fundamental freedoms. Austria, Denmark, Hungary, Japan, the United Kingdom, the Council of Europe, and the European Union are among the signatories. Norwegian Foreign Ministry State Secretary Eivind Vad Petersson emphasized the systemic nature of Russia's treatment of Ukrainians, stating that it demands a corresponding systemic response.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand called for the utilization of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, and collaboration with third countries to address the gaps in returning Ukrainians home. The Council of Europe's Special Envoy on the Situation of Ukrainian Children, Thordis Kolbrun Reykfjord Gylfadottir, stressed the need for sustained international cooperation and robust support for children's recovery post-return. Gylfadottir expressed her honor in supporting Ukraine and her friendship with the signatories.
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