On Monday, 11 May, High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas and Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, on behalf of the EU, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha, and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Canada Anita Anand, co-hosted the high-level meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.

The event gathered ministers and senior representatives from around 50 countries and international organizations to further support Ukraine’s efforts to trace, return, and reintegrate the children that were forcibly transferred and unlawfully deported by Russia, while ensuring accountability for Russia’s actions. Participants will also discuss ways to step up coordinated sanctions against those responsible for these heinous acts.

The high-level meeting opened at 17:00 CEST with video messages from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney. These will be followed by a ministerial roundtable discussion with Coalition members, as well as representatives from around 20 guest countries. The meeting will conclude with closing remarks from the co-chairs.

The entire event was livestreamed on EBS, alongside a joint press conference with High Representative Kallas, Commissioner Kos, Minister Sybiha and Minister Anand at +/-16:40 CEST.

Earlier in the day, a screening of the documentary ‘After the Rain: Putin’s Stolen Children Come Home’ took place, followed by a panel discussion featuring the film’s director, Ukrainian representatives and other distinguished speakers. The film will also be available for viewing on the audiovisual portal for one month free of charge.

More information on efforts by the EU and international community to bring Ukrainian children home is available online.