The European Parliament today called on Russia to return “immediate and unconditional” all Ukrainian children deported or transferred by force during the war, arguing that their return should be part of any peace agreement.
© Getty Images
12/11/2026
by
Lusa
O Parliament today called on Russia to return “immediate and unconditional” all Ukrainian children deported or transferred by force during the war, arguing that their return should be part of any peace agreement.
In a resolution adopted by 536 votes in favour, eight against and 37 abstentions, at the minisession ending in Brussels today, MEPs call on Moscow to “return immediately, safely and without conditions, all Ukrainian children deported or transferred to unoccupied areas of Ukraine under Russian control,” the institution is indicated.
At the same time, parliamentarians argue that “those responsible for the deportation or forced transfer of Ukrainian children during the war must be held accountable”.
“ vehemently condemning the systematic deportation, forced transfer, illegal adoption, forced russification, the indoctrination and militarization of Ukrainian children by Russia during the war, the text, approved [...] requires the immediate cessation of these practices and reiterates Russia’s responsibility for respecting the rights of children under its control,” the European Parliament said.
According to the institution, 20,651 cases of deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children by Russia had been confirmed by September 2026, with an estimated 1.6 million remaining in territories under Russian occupation.
By October 28, 2,752 deported children had returned, transferred by force or rescued from territories occupied by Russia.
MEPs stress that the return of children is an obligation under international law and cannot be used as an instrument of negotiation or conditional on territorial concessions, exchanges of prisoners or other political agreements.
The European Parliament considers that the safe and unconditional return of children should be a priority in all diplomatic initiatives and negotiations aimed at ending the war of Russian aggression, arguing that there can be no lasting peace without respect for its rights and accountability of those responsible for the violations.
The resolution also supports cooperation between Europol, Eurojust and the Ukrainian Ombudsman in gathering information and tracing illegally transferred children.
Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.