Ministry and Council of Europe Strengthen Cooperation on the Return and Reintegration of Unlawfully Deported Children

On 24 February 2026, marking the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Minister of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine Denys Uliutin held a meeting with the Secretary General’s Special Envoy on the situation of children of Ukraine, Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjord Gylfadóttir.This meeting continued the dialogue initiated the previous day under the programme of Justice Conference.

The discussion focused primarily on the protection of children’s rights, including efforts to secure the return of unlawfully deported children, ensure their rehabilitation and reintegration, and strengthen coordination among international and national institutions.

“We highly value the Council of Europe’s engagement in protecting the rights of Ukrainian children and are grateful for your personal leadership under this mandate. We consider your mission critically important for strengthening coordinated European action, both in ensuring accountability and in establishing practical mechanisms for the protection and return of Ukrainian children,” said Denys Uliutin.

The Minister noted that forced displacement of Ukrainians children constitutes a systematic policy of Russia. Ukraine, together with its international partners, is working to ensure the return of children and is building a comprehensive reintegration system that includes the provision of temporary housing, family support services, as well as psychological and social assistance for each child.

The parties paid particular attention to the need to recognize the verified status of deported children, enhance information sharing, and prevent re-traumatization or institutionalization of children abroad.

“Even in wartime, we continue to reform the child care system. The Strategy to ensure every child’s right to grow up in a family environment is already being implemented, and today 92% of orphans and children deprived of parental care are raised in family-based care,” the Minister added.

It should be recalled that the Justice Conference took place in Kyiv the day before. The issue of returning Ukrainian children unlawfully deported by russia was one of the central topics.

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