Moscow returned eight Ukrainian children to their families with Qatari mediation. The children are aged between 5 and 15 and were reunited with their families after previous arrangements. Since July 2023, Qatar has been involved in facilitating these returns, amid allegations of illegal deportation by Kyiv and tension regarding the status of the children.
Moscow successfully returned eight Ukrainian children to their families, facilitated by Qatari mediators, as reported by Russia’s presidential commissioner for children’s rights, Maria Lvova-Belova. The children, aged 5 to 15, were primarily reunited with their mothers, while one child returned to their father. A set of siblings was also restored to their aunt in Ukraine after spending time in an orphanage following their mother’s passing.
Since July 2023, Qatar has played a significant role in mediating returns of Ukrainian children taken to Russia and occupied regions. Ukraine accuses Russia of illegally deporting over 19,000 children amidst ongoing conflict, a claim that Russia contests. In 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against Lvova-Belova and President Vladimir Putin for the suspected illegal deportation of Ukrainian children.
The recent return of Ukrainian children underscores the ongoing humanitarian efforts amid the conflict, complicated by divergent narratives from Russia and Ukraine regarding the children’s status and the nature of their return. The issue remains sensitive, with international scrutiny over Russia’s actions regarding children’s rights during the war.
Original Source: www.themoscowtimes.com
