War in Ukraine: MEPs demand Russia returns deported Ukrainian children

At least 20,651 cases of deported Ukrainian children have been verified, approximately 1.6 million remain under Russian occupation

Return of Ukrainian children must be part of genuine peace agreement

Parliament stands firmly behind the International Criminal Court and its work

In a resolution adopted on Thursday, MEPs say perpetrators responsible for the deportation or forced transfer of Ukrainian children during the war must be held to account.

Strongly condemning Russia’s systematic deportation, forcible transfer, illegal adoption, forced Russification, indoctrination and militarisation of Ukrainian children during the war, the text adopted by 536 votes in favour, 8 against and 37 abstentions, demands the immediate cessation of these practices and reiterates Russia’s full responsibility for respecting the rights of children under its control. MEPs call on Russia to immediately, safely and unconditionally return all deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children back from Russian-controlled territory to unoccupied Ukraine. They insist that the return of children is an obligation under international law and must never be used as a bargaining instrument or made conditional upon territorial concessions, prisoner exchanges, or other political agreements.

According to the resolution, as of September 2026, 20,651 cases of the deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children by Russia have been verified, whereas approximately 1.6 million Ukrainian children are estimated to remain under Russian occupation. It also states that, as of 28 October 2026, 2,752 Ukrainian children deported, forcibly transported or rescued from Russian-occupied territories have so far been returned.

Return of Ukrainian children must form part of genuine peace agreement

MEPs firmly insist that the safe and unconditional return of all unlawfully deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children constitutes not only an urgent humanitarian necessity but also remains a centrepiece of international efforts to establish accountability for Russian crimes committed during the war. It must, they argue, be a central priority in all diplomatic initiatives and negotiations concerning any genuine peace agreement ending Russia’s war of aggression. MEPs emphasise that no lasting peace can disregard the rights of these children or the accountability of those responsible for violating their rights. Parliament also calls on EU member states to strengthen their practical cooperation with Ukraine, international partners, and organisations to accelerate the identification, documentation, tracing and return of all missing and deported Ukrainian children, as well as to further expand existing EU sanctions against officials and entities identified as being responsible for child deportations.

Parliament stands firmly behind the International Criminal Court

Parliament reiterates its full support for the International Criminal Court, the court’s unhindered activity, and its arrest warrants issued against Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Children's Rights Commissioner for the President of Russia, for the war crime of the unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children. MEPs stress however that accountability must extend beyond Russia’s upper leadership to encompass the entire chain of perpetrators and enablers responsible for the execution of these crimes . The resolution also supports the close collaboration between different stakeholders, including Europol and Eurojust, and the Ukrainian Ombudsman, for information gathering and locating illegally transferred children.