September 23, 2025
Within the framework of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, the Leaders’ Summit of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children was held, co-chaired by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney.
The event was held under the aegis of the Bring Kids Back UA program, initiated by the President of Ukraine in 2023 to coordinate international efforts to return Ukrainian children deported or forcibly taken to Russia. Representatives from more than 40 delegations participated in the event, including heads of state and government, representatives of international organizations, First Ladies and Gentlemen, and human rights structures. First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska and Diana Fox Carney, the wife of the Canadian Prime Minister, also took part in the discussions.
The summit presented a number of key initiatives. Ukraine announced its intention to submit to the UN General Assembly a resolution condemning the abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children and demanding their return. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the launch of a pilot mechanism for collecting and verifying data on illegally displaced and deported children, which is expected to become the basis for systematic work on their search.
The results of the initiative are already tangible: thanks to the coalition’s efforts, 1,625 children have been returned. At the same time, Ukraine handed Russia a list of 339 children, but no response was received. In his speeches, the President called on the international community to include in sanction lists all those involved in the abductions — from politicians and judges to propagandists.
A particularly important outcome of the summit was the expansion of participants: the European Union and Andorra joined the coalition, strengthening international support. Participants adopted the final statement “Restoring Childhood and Humanity,” which condemned illegal deportations, reaffirmed the priority of returning and rehabilitating children, called for stronger international coordination and pressure on Russia, and supported new coalition initiatives. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of developing modern search mechanisms, including the use of innovative technologies and artificial intelligence.
The New York summit consolidated international support for Ukraine in the matter of returning children, laid the foundation for a UN resolution as a tool of global pressure on Russia, launched a pilot mechanism for systematic data collection for the search and return of children, and strengthened the coalition with the accession of the EU and Andorra. Ukraine, together with its partners, is acting to ensure that every child returns home.