Russia–Ukraine Cooperation in Reuniting Children with Their Families

Moscow — Under the direction of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights, has stated that efforts to reunite children with their families continue steadily.

According to her, recently one child was returned to Russia, while four boys and one girl were reunited with their families in Ukraine. The children reunited range in age from 4 to 15 years old.

“Each child’s situation is unique,” she said. For example, one boy had been living with his grandfather. After his grandfather passed away, he expressed the wish to live with his mother in Ukraine. Another child, after losing his mother, had been staying with his grandparents and later wished to live with his uncle in Ukraine. He is currently traveling accompanied by his grandfather. Three other children who had been in an institution have now been reunited with their mothers.

Reunification is carried out at the request of a parent or another close relative with legal standing, taking into account the views of the children and the specific circumstances of each case.

Maria Lvova-Belova also thanked the First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump, for her active support and coordination in the reunification process. Her efforts helped expedite the process and laid the groundwork for a more efficient system in the future.

Under her leadership, 30 children from 22 families have been reunited with relatives in Russia, while 134 children from 108 families have been reunited with relatives in Ukraine and other countries.