By KYIV. Dec 9 (Interfax-Ukraine) – First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska, within the framework of the first meeting of the International Coalition of Countries for the Return of Ukrainian Children Illegally Deported to the Russian Federation, called on Ukrainian state and public organizations to participate in the adaptation and development of reintegration programs for minors.
According to her, at the moment Ukraine has managed to return only 387 of the nearly 20,000 children illegally deported or abducted by Russia.
As Zelenska said, “each return is not just a statistic but a unique special operation, and it’s international one.”
“Russia does not engage in direct contact with us. That’s why children go home through third countries with the help of many compassionate people. That’s why global cooperation is so crucial,” she said.
In this regard, the first lady expressed hope for the effective activities of the International Coalition of Countries for the return of Ukrainian children.
Zelenska also drew the attention of those present to the need for the reintegration of children who were returned to Ukrainian society.
“Bringing abducted children home is challenging. However, equally challenging is restoring their sense of home. Simply bringing them home and hugging them at the border is not enough. We need to build a dignified life for them here. So that our heroes today have opportunities for education and self-realization, just like their peers. So that children and their families who have experienced captivity receive psychological support. At the community level, they should have material and social support, without facing administrative difficulties, so they don’t have to worry about survival. Therefore, our fundamental position should be that when they return to their homeland, they should be met by a family. Let it be an adoptive family, but a real one,” the president’s wife said.
The First Lady said that Ukraine is persisting on the development of family-based upbringing.
“In this case, it is our direct moral duty: a kidnapped child who had no parents or relatives should be surrounded by family conditions. Because only in a family is genuine moral return home possible. I call on all stakeholders – governmental and civil structures – to participate in the adaptation of returned children and develop programs for those we bring back. They should see not just the homeland but conditions and opportunities,” Zelenska concluded.
