**Russia Admits to Taking Ukrainian Children, Dismisses Issue as a “Show”**
In a shocking revelation, President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed that Russian representatives admitted to taking hundreds of Ukrainian children during peace talks in Istanbul. The admission is a stark reminder of the brutal reality faced by Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
According to Zelensky, Russian officials dismissed the issue of abducted Ukrainian children as a “show for childless European old ladies” and acknowledged deporting several hundred children. This attitude towards the humanitarian aspect of the conflict is a stark contrast to the international outcry against these actions. The Kyiv Independent’s online press conference with Zelensky provided a glimpse into the disturbing reality faced by Ukraine.
**A Long List of Abducted Children**
During the Istanbul negotiations, Vladimir Medinsky, an aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin and head of Russia’s delegation, presented a list submitted by Ukraine containing the names of 339 children it says were abducted by Russia and must be returned. However, Medinsky rejected the allegations, denying that Russia had taken the children by force.
The numbers are staggering – over 19,500 cases of children have been documented as being forcibly taken to Russia, Belarus, or occupied territories since the beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Only about 1,300 of them have been brought back to areas under Ukrainian control.
**International Backlash**
These actions have faced widespread international backlash. In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights, over their alleged roles in organizing the deportations. More recently, the European Parliament passed a resolution denouncing the deportations as part of a “genocidal strategy” to eliminate Ukrainian identity.
**A Small Step Towards Accountability**
Zelensky’s statement is a small step towards accountability for these heinous actions. While Russian officials may try to downplay the numbers, the fact remains that they acknowledged taking children – and that’s what matters. The international community must continue to demand justice for Ukraine and its people.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com
