Slovakia Joins Effort to Bring Back Unlawfully Deported Ukrainian Children

Slovakia has joined the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, following criticism for being the only EU member state to reject the Toronto Pledge – an international declaration aimed at bringing back deported Ukrainian children. State Secretary for EU Affairs Marek Ešoček announced the decision on Monday, Nov.

2, by presenting a diplomatic note to Ukrainian and Canadian ambassadors. Ešoček expressed hope for the safe reunification of the children with their families. However, it remains uncertain whether Slovakia will officially endorse the Toronto Pledge. Slovakia's support goes beyond the coalition, as the country has renovated school shelters in Ukraine and welcomed Ukrainian children into its education system.

This move contrasts with Slovakia's stance in early October, when it refused to back the Toronto Pledge, drawing international scrutiny. The opposition party Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) accused the government of collaborating with the Kremlin. Fico's government has also cut state-funded military aid to Ukraine and visited Moscow for a Victory Day commemoration with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The International Criminal Court previously issued arrest warrants for Putin and Russia's Children’s Rights Commissioner over the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children. US President Donald Trump signed a sanctions act making forced deportation of Ukrainian children grounds for penalties, but enforcement is not guaranteed. Russia has killed 707 Ukrainian children, injured 2,548, and left 2,318 missing since the full-scale war began in February 2022.