The Council of Europe has called on Russia to return Ukrainian children
The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe condemned the illegal transfer of Ukrainian children from the temporarily occupied territories to Russia and called on Moscow to immediately cease this practice. The Council of Europe also demands the repeal of legal provisions that allow the adoption of Ukrainian children by Russian families and the imposition of Russian citizenship upon them.
The decision was adopted following a review of the implementation of the European Court of Human Rights’ judgment in the case of “Ukraine and the Netherlands v. Russia.” The document emphasizes that the Committee of Ministers “strongly condemned the systematic practice of the Russian authorities illegally transferring Ukrainian children from temporarily occupied territories to Russia without any consent from their parents or legal guardians.”
The Council of Europe noted that in many cases, children were placed for adoption to ensure their “permanent integration” into Russian families or state institutions. The decision calls on Russia to comply with international law and immediately cease the unlawful removal of Ukrainian children.
The Committee of Ministers also demands that Russian authorities repeal domestic laws and practices that facilitate the adoption of Ukrainian children and the automatic granting of Russian citizenship to them.
Separately, the Council of Europe has again appealed to Moscow, demanding information about the children who were taken from Ukraine. “The Committee of Ministers once again calls on the Russian authorities to provide a list of the names and whereabouts of children who have been illegally transferred from Ukraine to Russia,” the document states.
Ministers from the 46 member states of the Council of Europe noted that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) had previously ordered Russia to cooperate in establishing an independent international mechanism to help determine the whereabouts of all children taken from Ukraine to Russia and to territories under Russian control. In addition, the Secretariat of the Committee of Ministers was tasked with preparing an overview of international initiatives working to return Ukrainian children. Council of Europe member states are to submit their proposals and additional information by July 1, 2026.
Separate consultations are also planned for the fall, involving intermediary countries and international organizations assisting in the return of children home.
The document specifically notes that although Russia ceased to be a party to the European Convention on Human Rights in September 2022, it remains obligated to comply with ECHR rulings regarding violations committed while the Convention was in force. Thus, the issue of returning Ukrainian children remains one of the key priorities in the work of the Council of Europe and Ukraine’s international partners. This is stated in the decision adopted at the latest meeting of the Committee following the review of the implementation of the ECHR’s judgment in the case of “Ukraine and the Netherlands v. Russia.”
Bosnia and Herzegovina has officially confirmed its intention to join the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, expanding the coalition’s membership to 50 countries. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga announced this decision.
