The return of Ukrainian children forcibly transferred and deported by Russia

In this non-legislative resolution, Parliament strongly condemns the forcible transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children by the Russian Federation with the complicity of Belarus, citing figures of around 20,000 children deported since February 2022 with only a fraction returned, and states that these acts form part of a genocidal strategy to erase Ukrainian identity. It recalls the International Criminal Court arrest warrants issued in 2023 against Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova for the war crime of unlawful transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children. Parliament demands that these crimes cease, that Russia disclose the identities and whereabouts of all deported children and ensure their safe return, and that international organisations such as the ICRC, OHCHR and UNICEF be granted access to them. It urges the EU to hold those responsible accountable and to sanction implicated individuals and entities, emphasises that any genuine peace deal must include repatriation and accountability, and calls for reinforced coordination through the ICC, the ICJ and the Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression. The resolution is forwarded to the VP/HR, the Council, the Commission, Member States, the Council of Europe, the OSCE, Ukraine, the United States, Russia and Belarus.