European Parliament urges Russia to return deported Ukrainian children

The European Parliament has adopted a resolution calling on Russia to immediately, safely and unconditionally return Ukrainian children who were deported or forcibly transferred from occupied territories. The vote took place in Brussels and passed by 536 votes in favour, 8 against and 37 abstentions. Lawmakers said the issue remains an urgent humanitarian concern linked to the wider war in Ukraine.

In the text, MEPs condemned what they described as the systematic deportation of Ukrainian children, along with illegal adoption, forced Russification, ideological indoctrination and militarisation. They said Russia bears full responsibility for safeguarding the rights of children living in occupied territories. The resolution also says the return of children is an obligation under international law and cannot be tied to territorial concessions, prisoner exchanges or other political deals.

The parliament said that, as of September 2026, 20,651 cases of deportation or forcible transfer of Ukrainian children had been confirmed. It also said around 1.6 million Ukrainian children remain in territories occupied by Russia. As of 28 October 2026, 2,752 children who had been deported, forcibly taken away or evacuated from occupied territories had been returned.

Lawmakers said the scale of the issue makes it one of the most sensitive humanitarian questions arising from the war. The resolution adds to pressure on Moscow at a time when accountability for wartime conduct remains a central issue in European politics. It frames the return of children not only as a humanitarian duty but also as part of broader efforts to hold Russia accountable for alleged war crimes.

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Some members of parliament went further in the debate, describing the treatment of Ukrainian children as genocide, although the resolution itself focuses on return, protection and legal responsibility. The European Parliament had already adopted a similar resolution more than a year ago, showing that the issue has remained on the agenda as the war continues. The latest vote suggests lawmakers want the matter kept separate from any future negotiations over territory or prisoner exchanges.

It also reflects continuing concern in the European Union over the fate of children from occupied areas and the long-term consequences of displacement, adoption and indoctrination. What remains unclear is how much practical effect the resolution will have on the ground, given that it is not a binding order on Russia. The parliament did not announce any new enforcement mechanism alongside the vote.

The next developments to watch are whether the issue is taken up in wider diplomatic efforts and whether further returns of children are recorded in the coming weeks.

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