European Parliament Urges Russia to Return Deported Ukrainian Children, Condemns Actions
The European Parliament has adopted a resolution strongly condemning Russia's actions concerning Ukrainian children, including deportation, forced transfer, illegal adoption, forced Russification, indoctrination, and militarization. The resolution passed with significant support, receiving 536 votes in favor, 8 opposed, and 37 abstentions. MEPs asserted that those responsible for these actions must be held accountable. As of September 2026, at least 20,651 cases of deported Ukrainian children have been formally verified, with an estimated 1.6 million children remaining under Russian occupation. The Parliament called for the immediate, safe, and unconditional return of all deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children, emphasizing that this is an obligation under international law and should not be used as a negotiating tool.
