The United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday adopted a resolution demanding that Russia return Ukrainian children Forcibly transfer them or deport them to their landsIn addition to stopping these practices and “changing the status” of minors.
The resolution was presented at an emergency meeting by Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Marianna Petsa, who denounced Russia’s view of Ukrainian children. “As war trophies”It was approved by a vote of 91 votes to 12, with 57 abstentions.
Although not binding, the political declaration demonstrated broad international support for the measure, exceeding a two-thirds majority of members present with voting power.
Bethsa said so Russia deported at least 20,000 Ukrainian childrenSome of them, but many still unknown, called for “humanity” and noted, like other representatives, that these practices violate international law.
They also noted that ICC arrest warrants have been issued against Russian President Vladimir Putin and other government officials for these reasons since 2023.
The document expresses the international community’s concern about the fate of Ukrainian children Separated from their families since 2014when Moscow annexed Crimea, including those who were transferred within the occupied Ukrainian territories and those who were deported to Russia.
It also “demands that the Russian Federation ensure the immediate, safe and unconditional return of all Ukrainian children.” It urges Moscow not to continue these practices or “changes of nationality.”Adoption, placement with foster families, and indoctrination.”
Russian Deputy Ambassador Maria Zabolotskaya described the content of the document as a “cynical lie,” and considered that the countries that supported it supported “war and confrontation,” since Moscow is “open to cooperation in matters of helping children.”
For its part, Venezuela, on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defense of the United Nations Charter, which includes Russia and other countries that voted against it or abstained from voting, expressed its concern about the “content and timing” of the document.
Venezuelan Deputy Ambassador Joaquín Pérez Astaran noted a “narrow but real window” currently open to resolve the conflict in Ukraine, and said the initiative could “obstruct dialogue” and “use this body” for political purposes.