The resolution expresses deep concern about the fate of Ukrainian children separated from their families since 2014 – when Moscow annexed Crimea – including those transferred within occupied Ukrainian territory and those deported to Russia.
It describes these acts as violations of the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit the forcible transfer or deportation of protected persons from occupied territory.
Detailed resolution
“Demands that the Russian Federation ensure the immediate, safe and unconditional return of all Ukrainian children who have been forcibly transferred or deported,” and urges Moscow to end any future practices of deportation, family separation, citizenship changes, adoption or placement in foster families, and indoctrination.
The text also calls on the UN Secretary-General to intensify his good offices, including through his Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, to coordinate UN action, collaborate with Russia to locate detainees and guarantee access for humanitarian and international monitoring organizations.
He also expressed support for international efforts to ensure the early return of Ukrainian children and their rehabilitation and reintegration, including access to health care, psychosocial support and education.
Kidnapped at gunpoint
Opening the meeting, General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock described the ordeal faced by Ukrainian children taken from their homes.
“Imagine that you are a 16-year-old boy going about your daily life (…) when suddenly soldiers armed with machine guns and wearing balaclavas to cover their faces burst into your house,” he said.
“They force you into your vehicle and take you in an unknown direction, and you find yourself trapped for months in a nightmare, with a different name.”
He stressed that international law is unequivocal.
“Therefore, what we are witnessing is not simply the tragedy of some children, but a violation of international law,” Ms. Baerbock said, citing Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Question of humanity
Presenting the draft, Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa said the text “is not about politics… but about humanity.”
Amid Russia’s war of aggression, he said, children have been killed, injured, raped, separated from their families and deported.
“It is unimaginable that anyone could see children as trophies of war,” he said, adding that at least 20,000 Ukrainian children have been deported to Russia.
“Not a single child should be separated from their family,” he stressed.
‘Cynical lie’
Russia rejected the resolution as political. Ambassador Maria Zabolotskaya, deputy permanent representative to the UN, said the meeting ran counter to peace efforts and described the resolution as a “particularly cynical lie.”
He insisted that Moscow remained open to cooperation on children’s issues and urged all states to oppose the text.
“Every vote in favor of the resolution is support for lies, war and confrontation,” he said.
Through the resolution, the General Assembly also decided to temporarily suspend its emergency special session, authorizing the President of the Assembly to reconvene it at the request of Member States.