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As the conflict in Ukraine continues, advocates are emphasizing the urgency of repatriating Ukrainian children taken by Russia. Mykola Kuleba, founder of the charity Save Ukraine, asserts that lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia cannot be achieved without the return of these children.
Since the onset of the war, Russia has reportedly relocated tens of thousands of Ukrainian children, an act Ukraine deems to be a violation of international law. Discussions about the situation of these children reportedly did not arise during a recent phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, even as they negotiated a ceasefire agreement.
Kuleba expressed the need to incorporate the issue of these children into peace talks, stating, “We ask, we beg the world: Help Ukraine bring our kids back.”
Though Trump has pledged to assist Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in locating the children, these assurances come amidst funding cuts to an organization dedicated to tracking them.
Devastating Impact on Ukrainian Identity
According to Ukrainian estimates, since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022, around 19,546 children have been taken, with only 1,243 successfully returned. Kuleba fears the actual number could exceed one million over the past decade, as many children have been forcibly separated from their families. After removal from their homes, some have been placed in orphanages or adopted into Russian families, while others are reportedly sent to “re-education camps.” In these facilities, children are exposed to pro-Russian ideologies and prevented from using their native language.
Labeling these institutions as “death camps for Ukrainian identity,” Kuleba argues that they represent a systematic attempt at ethnic cleansing. President Zelenskyy has also condemned Russia’s actions as genocide, citing instances of mass abduction during a recent speech at the UN General Assembly.
In stark contrast, Russia describes these camps as “summer camps,” arguing that they are efforts to protect children from the dangers of war. However, Kuleba highlights troubling accounts from children who experienced these camps, where caregivers instilled messages suggesting their families did not want them and that their future lies in remaining in Russia.
Challenges in Repatriation Efforts
The issue of missing children was also a topic during Trump’s conversation with Zelenskyy, as outlined in a White House press release. Trump committed to working with both nations to ensure the return of abducted children. However, this commitment comes at a time when the Trump administration has cut funding for Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab, which was instrumental in tracing the whereabouts of the children.
The Yale HRL had previously published a critical report on the situation, revealing evidence of Ukrainian teenagers in Russian camps undergoing military preparation. Kuleba expressed disappointment over the program’s suspension, stating that it is crucial in documenting and addressing the crisis.
LISTEN | Artistic Efforts Raise Awareness
A recent art exhibit in New York City aims to highlight the plight of the abducted children. Featuring a large mural of the empty bedrooms once occupied by Ukrainian kids taken by Russian forces, the installation serves as a poignant reminder of their absence, while underscoring that thousands remain in captivity.
Democratic lawmakers have urged the restoration of the Yale HRL program and the implementation of sanctions against officials in Russia and Belarus involved in these kidnappings. In a letter to U.S. officials, they stated, “Our government is providing an essential service,” stressing the necessity of resuming efforts to help bring these children home.
The tracking initiative was a component of broader efforts initiated under President Joe Biden’s administration to hold Russia accountable for violations of international law amid its invasion of Ukraine. In light of recent developments, a spokesperson for Eurojust announced the cessation of support for an international center aimed at prosecuting war crimes related to the conflict.
Despite these challenges, Kuleba remains hopeful that other nations, such as Canada, will increase their support in this critical humanitarian endeavor.
Source
www.cbc.ca