The European Parliament has adopted a resolution demanding that Russia return Ukrainian children who were deported or forcibly transferred during the war and that those responsible be held to account, the legislature said on Thursday.
What Parliament is doing
The resolution, adopted by MEPs, explicitly calls for accountability for perpetrators responsible for the deportation or forced transfer of Ukrainian children during the conflict. The statement was issued in the context of work by the Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Why it matters
Parliament’s adoption of the resolution underscores its position that the transfer and deportation of children during the war are matters requiring urgent international attention and legal response. By linking the demand for the children’s return with calls to hold perpetrators accountable, MEPs signal an expectation of investigatory and legal follow-up on alleged abuses.
What happens next
The resolution reflects the Parliament’s formal stance but does not itself specify enforcement mechanisms or a timeline for next steps. The adoption by MEPs places the issue on the Parliament’s agenda and may inform further diplomatic or legal initiatives coordinated with other institutions and Member States, though the resolution text does not detail those processes.
Source: European Parliament press release
