Moscow Returns Eight Ukrainian Children With Qatari Mediation

Eight Ukrainian children have been returned to their families with Qatari mediation, as announced by Russian officials. The children, mostly reuniting with their mothers, were taken to Russia amid allegations of unlawful deportations. International bodies have also pursued charges against Russian leaders regarding these issues.

Moscow has facilitated the return of eight Ukrainian children to their families with support from Qatari mediators, as announced by Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s presidential children’s rights commissioner. The children, aged 5 to 15, are now mostly reuniting with their mothers, while one child is returning to their father. Additionally, a brother and sister are reuniting with their aunt in Ukraine after being in an orphanage due to their mother’s death.

Since July 2023, Qatar has played a vital role in aiding the return of numerous Ukrainian children who were taken to Russia and Russian-occupied regions. Meanwhile, Kyiv alleges that Moscow has unlawfully deported over 19,000 Ukrainian minors since the invasion commenced, a claim that Russia contests. In 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for both Lvova-Belova and President Vladimir Putin concerning the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children.

According to Russia, 15 children from 10 families have been reunited with relatives in Russia, while 95 children from 74 families have returned to Ukraine. However, Ukraine rejects Moscow’s view of this situation as a “child exchange,” maintaining that it has not abducted or held Russian children.

The return of eight Ukrainian children, facilitated by Qatari mediation, highlights ongoing humanitarian efforts amidst a complex geopolitical crisis. While Russia claims compliance in these reunifications, Ukraine continues to assert that the large-scale deportation of its children is unlawful. This situation underscores the broader issues surrounding the conflict, particularly regarding child welfare and national sovereignty. Support for independent journalism is critical in shedding light on these developments as both nations navigated nuanced and conflicting narratives on the matter.

Original Source: www.themoscowtimes.com