Andrij Sibiga, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, spoke during a meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children in Brussels. He emphasized that the return of deported children is a fundamental element of the peace process. Sibiga stated, "The freedom of children is unconditional; therefore, their inclusion in exchange lists, as proposed by Moscow, is absolutely unacceptable."
He added that Ukraine has already brought back more than 2,000 minor deportees. Sibiga also criticized the existing international instruments, noting that the return of children occurs not because of these, but despite their ineffectiveness.
In his speech, he drew parallels between Russia's current actions and the crimes of Nazi Germany during World War II. He cited similar statements from deported youth from both eras to highlight the severity of the situation.
