Key facts
- The U.S. State Department has earmarked $27 million to assist in the return and reintegration of Ukrainian children deported to Russia.
- The funding includes $12 million for a program to identify, return, and reintegrate children, with an additional $15 million authorized for the same purpose.
- Ukraine's Justice Ministry has officially confirmed 20,610 cases of deportation, with estimates suggesting the real number could be in the hundreds of thousands.
- The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova in 2023 for their alleged roles in state-sanctioned child abductions.
- The U.N.'s Genocide Convention defines the "forcibly transferring children of the group to another group" as an act of genocide.
The U.S. State Department announced on September 24 that it has allocated $27 million to assist in the return and reintegration of Ukrainian children who have been forcibly deported to Russia. Officials stated that this funding is crucial for locating these children, ensuring their safe return, and providing them with necessary support and rehabilitation.
Russia is accused of abducting tens of thousands of Ukrainian children since the full-scale invasion began. Ukraine's Justice Ministry has officially confirmed 20,610 cases of deportation, though Ukrainian officials estimate the actual number could be significantly higher, potentially in the hundreds of thousands. The U.S. funding is divided into two parts: $12 million for a program to identify, return, and reintegrate children held in Russia and Russian-occupied territories, and an additional $15 million authorized for the same purpose, to be granted to an implementing organization later this year.
The announcement was made during a session focused on Ukraine's forcibly deported children, an initiative supported by Bring Kids Back. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha expressed deep gratitude to the United States for its consistent support, emphasizing that the funding will help ensure Russia is held accountable for its actions. Deputy Foreign Minister Dmytro Senyk echoed these sentiments, highlighting the critical role the funds will play in reuniting children with their families and providing them with care.
Senyk described the forced transfer and detention of Ukrainian children by Russia as "among the most horrifying crimes committed in this war," stressing the need for continued joint efforts until every child is safely returned. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants in 2023 for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia's Commissioner for Children's Rights, in connection with these alleged child abductions. The U.N.'s Genocide Convention includes the "forcibly transferring children of the group to another group" as one of the five acts constituting genocide.
Historically, under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, funding for programs aimed at locating and returning abducted Ukrainian children was reduced, including cuts to Yale University's Ukraine Conflict Observatory. However, the current U.S. administration has shown a willingness to collaborate with Kyiv on this issue. Melania Trump has also been an advocate for children displaced by war, having previously intervened to help secure the return of Ukrainian children and appealing directly to Russian President Putin.