Yesterday at 22:20
Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak met with General Keith Kellogg, Special Representative of the U.S. President, at the Child Rights Protection Center as part of President Zelenskyy’s initiative Bring Kids Back UA. The two officials discussed the forced deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia and efforts to ensure their return.
Yermak reported on the meeting via Telegram, highlighting the presence of Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, Presidential Advisor for Children’s Rights Daria Herasymchuk, and Baroness Helena Kennedy, Co-Chair of the International High-Level Expert Group supporting the initiative.
“We addressed the mass human rights violations committed by the Russian Federation — including the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children, the detention of civilians in occupied territories and in Russia,” Yermak stated.
He presented Bring Kids Back UA as a coordinated effort by the Ukrainian government, civil society, and international partners. According to Yermak, the issue transcends humanitarian concerns and touches on global justice and security.
“Ukrainian children must not be treated as bargaining chips. On June 2, Ukraine officially submitted an initial list of deported children to Russia, along with a formal request for their return. We are now awaiting Russia’s response,” he emphasized.
Yermak noted that over 16,000 cases of illegal detention have been documented, at least 1,800 of which involve children held on Russian territory. In addition, around 900 children have been killed, over 2,000 injured, and there are at least 19 confirmed cases of sexual violence against children.
“These crimes must be stopped. Together, we will bring every child home,” he said.
General Kellogg arrived in Ukraine on July 14 for a series of high-level meetings, including discussions with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and Speaker of Parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk. During his visit, Kellogg also honored the memory of children who died in the war.
