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OPENING REMARKS

by H.E. Ihor Prokopchuk, Ambassador of Ukraine to Romania,

at a Conference 

“Kidnapped by Russia’s War: The Return of Ukrainian Children”

Bucharest, 28 May 2025

Excellencies,

Distinguished participants,

Dear colleagues and friends of Ukraine,

I wish to start my remarks by warmly welcoming all of you at this important conference dedicated to the topic of Ukrainian children illegally deported by Russia, the conference which takes place just few days before the International Children’s Day. I thank co-organisers of today’s event – Romanian Diplomatic Institute as our host and the Embassy of Canada in Romania which represents a country that together with Ukraine acts as a co-leader of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.

I express gratitude to all our speakers, in particular Romania’s Ombudsperson Renate Weber, State Secretary Ana Tinca, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Marianna Betsa, Adviser to the President of Ukraine Daria Gerasymchuk for the availabilility and readiness to contribute to this conference.

Distinguished participants,

I spoke in this hall few months ago, on 24 February 2025, at a conference marking three years of russia’s full scale war against Ukraine. As we meet today, this high intensity full-scale war continues. Instead of creating space for diplomatic solutions by immediate introduction of comprehensive and unconditional ceasefire, as proposed by the United States, Ukraine and Europe, kremlin opts for further escalation. Just this past weekend Ukraine was subjected to one of the most intensive aerial assaults since the beginning of the war. Russian forces launched a massive barrage of drones and missiles, targeting multiple regions, including our capital - Kyiv. Nealy 900 drones over three nights. Dozens of missiles, among them various types of ballistic and cruise missiles. Again killed and wounded among civilians - at least 14 civilian deaths, including three children, and more than 60 persons injured. Again sorrow and distress in numerous affected communities.

These strikes are carried out to instill fear and suppress the will of the Ukrainian people to resist. These are continuous acts of terror against Ukranian civilian population.

Whereas President Zelenskyy reaffirms Ukraine commitment to a just and lasting peace, russia’s actions demonstrate the opposite objectives. As before, Russia remains the only obstacle to ending the war which it started of its own choice. 

This war affects Ukrainian children and youth in many different ways – deprivation of normal conditions for happy childhood, resettlement within the country or to other states, disruption of educational process, distress, mental traumas and others. Over 2500 Ukrainian children were killed and wounded by this war. Among the gravest crimes of this war, perpetrated by the aggressor, is the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children to the russian federation.

This systematic, inhumane and genocidal policy strikes at the core of our shared values and of humanity itself as it involves the abduction of children from their families, erasure of their Ukrainian identity, and their forced assimilation into russian society.It is the collected body of evidence of this grave crime that compelled the International Criminal Court to issue international arrest warrants for vladimir putin and his associate.  

Dear friends,

During today’s event, we will view just a few of the many video testimonies from Ukrainian children — children who bravely tell their stories to the world.

Your presence here today sends a powerful message: that the world sees these crimes, that we stand united in condemning them, and that we are ready to be vocal and active in seeking return of the Ukrainian children back to their homeland.

Our today’s conference should also be seen as a call for action — for raising public awareness, enhancing documentation and search efforts, improving international coordination to secure safe return of every Ukrainian child.

Thank you for your unwavering support!

Thank you for standing with Ukraine!

Слава Україні!