Mgr. et Mgr. et Mgr. Tomáš Zdechovský

When we, together with colleagues from several political groups, questioned the European Commission about the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia, we had one goal: to ensure that their return would not become a forgotten issue. Today, we have the Commission’s answer. The European Commission confirms that the return of abducted Ukrainian children remains one of its priorities. The EU has allocated nearly €50 million to protect and support these children, backs the Bring Kids Back initiative, funds the documentation of these crimes, supports investigations, and has imposed sanctions on more than 130 individuals and entities involved in the deportation, forced transfer, and indoctrination of Ukrainian children. This is the right approach. The forced removal of children from occupied territories is not merely a by-product of war. It is a grave war crime and an attempt to strip children of their families, their homes, and their national identity. The fate of these children must not be forgotten in any future peace negotiations with Russia. A just and lasting peace cannot mean leaving thousands of abducted children behind in Russia. We must insist on their return. Until every last child is back where they belong. 🇺🇦🇪🇺