“These children embody the future of Ukraine—and of the European Union. We must step up our efforts so that every child can return home” - Deputy EU Ambassador to Ukraine Gediminas Navickas at the Civil Society and Expert Day in Kyiv on April 30

Every child must come home — and grow up in peace, in freedom, in their own homeland.

“These children embody the future of Ukraine—and of the European Union. We must step up our efforts so that every child can return home.”

With these words, Deputy EU Ambassador to Ukraine Gediminas Navickas set the tone for the Civil Society and Expert Day in Kyiv.

2,117 children are already home. But more than 20,000 have been unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred by Russia — in clear violation of international law. The work is far from over.

The EU is acting:

€750,000 to strengthen tracing and data

€20+ million for the Better Care reform through UNICEF

€65+ million to support children’s wellbeing and reintegration in schools

€100+ million to ensure safe access to education

Sanctions on 108 individuals and entities responsible — with more to come

Support for investigations through Eurojust and the International Criminal Court

Work for the swift establishment of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression and an international compensation mechanism for Ukraine.

A whole-of-society effort: no child returns home without coordinated action between authorities, civil society and international partners.

Key outcome: a Joint Civil Society Statement with priority recommendations to the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.

Eu Delegation to Ukraine

The momentum now moves to Brussels, where the High-Level Ministerial Meeting of the International Coalition on 11 May will turn these recommendations into concrete action.

We will not stop until every child is returned.