The Democratic Republic of Congo Supports the Initiative for the Return of Ukrainian Children

• The DRC joins the international coalition for the return of Ukrainian children.
• In Ukraine, efforts continue regarding the return of children abducted by Russia.
• The coalition now includes 42 countries and the European Council.

This is reported by Ukrinform, RBC Ukraine.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) joins the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children as part of President Volodymyr Zelensky's "Bring Kids Back UA" initiative.

This was announced by the press service of the Office of the President of Ukraine. During a meeting with Daryna Gerasimchuk, advisor to the President of Ukraine on children's rights and rehabilitation, DRC government representative Shantal Shambou confirmed the country's intention to join the coalition.

Gerasimchuk noted the DRC delegation's awareness of mass deportations and forced relocations of Ukrainian children to Russia. She emphasized that only by uniting at the international level can we effectively counter the crimes of child abduction. "Russia abducts Ukrainian children, alters their names and documents, imposing a foreign identity on them," she stated.

Thanks to this step, the coalition now includes 42 countries and the European Council. "We share the plight of Ukraine for its children, as children of the Democratic Republic of Congo also suffer from war for over 30 years," added the DRC representative.

Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, over 19,500 Ukrainian children have been forcibly taken from Ukraine, of which more than 1,000 have been returned home. This issue remains at the center of international attention.

The global community continues to condemn the crimes of Russia. Recently, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham noted that Washington could recognize Russia as a state-sponsor of terrorism if kidnapped Ukrainian children are not returned.

Tags: Ukraine/Russia/Politics