In early February 2024, Ukraine and Canada jointly announced the establishment of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, which has already brought together 33 countries.

Continuing efforts in this area, the Embassy of Ukraine in Canada, together with the Ukraine Bureau at Global Affairs Canada, hosted a joint briefing in Ottawa for members of the diplomatic corps on the Coalition’s work.

We are pleased to see the growing support for Ukraine worldwide. Representatives from 55 countries, including those from the Global South, participated in the briefing.

During the event, the audience was presented with personal stories of children who endured deportation and were successfully returned to Ukraine — 11-year-old Illia and 12-year-old Sasha from Mariupol.

Ukraine and Canada remain committed to expanding the Coalition’s membership and facilitating the reunification of Ukrainian children with their families. We must not allow Russia to use Ukrainian children as tools of war.

We extend our gratitude to Canada for its unwavering support and leadership in advancing this initiative, which is a key element of Point 4 of the Peace Formula: "Release of All Prisoners and Deportees, including abducted Ukrainian children."