Ukraine Demands Return of Abducted Children in Talks with Russia
In a significant development during the ongoing conflict, Ukraine has taken a bold step by presenting a list of 339 Ukrainian children it claims have been forcefully deported by Russia. This move was made during the second round of direct peace talks held in Istanbul, where Ukraine reiterated its commitment to bringing these children home as a crucial part of any potential ceasefire and peace agreement.
Rustem Umerov, head of the Ukrainian delegation, expressed the importance of addressing the plight of these children, stating, "If Russia is genuinely committed to a peace process, the return of at least half the children on this list is a positive step forward." However, the Russian chief delegate, Vladimir Medinsky, dismissed the initiative, claiming it was an effort by Ukraine to elicit sympathy from Europeans, suggesting it was a staged show.
Medinsky indicated that Russia would examine the names on the list provided by Kyiv. He mentioned that the children’s whereabouts are currently unknown, raising uncertainty about their locations and implications for any potential return. According to sources familiar with the negotiations, Moscow is aware of the locations of the children listed and will consider responding to Ukraine's initiative.
The issue of forcefully deported children has not been directly discussed between Kyiv and Moscow in previous negotiations. Despite this, Ukrainian authorities have verified the deportation of over 19,500 children since the onset of the conflict, with only 1,350 having returned home, often through mediation by third-party nations such as Qatar, South Africa, and the Vatican.
The Ukrainian list reportedly includes not only children who have been moved to Russia but also those still trapped in temporarily occupied territories. Ukraine's choice to present a limited number of names stems from past experiences where more extensive lists faced delays and potential obfuscation by Russian authorities. Concerns persist that Russia may alter the identities of the children, particularly those who are younger and at risk of forced adoption.
Experts from the US-based Institute for the Study of War highlight that the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children has been a priority for President Vladimir Putin, reinforcing the idea that Russia's actions are systematic and strategic. UNICEF and human rights activists have labeled the acts as not merely war crimes but as efforts to erase Ukrainian identity among young individuals.
With the first round of negotiations leading to a prisoners of war exchange just ten days following the talks, the pressure is on Moscow to demonstrate goodwill on humanitarian grounds. Meanwhile, Russia's insistence on maximalist demands in the peace negotiations suggests that further discussions will be fraught with challenges.
As the humanitarian aspects of the negotiations appear to be the only productive area thus far, the Ukrainian side hopes for a swift and concrete response from Russia regarding the return of the abducted children. While uncertainties loom, the commitment to reunite these children with their families remains a priority for Ukraine as the conflict persists.
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