European Parliament demands Russia return deported Ukrainian children, in a resolution passed 536 to 8
The European Parliament voted 536 to 8 on Thursday to demand that Russia immediately, safely and unconditionally return all deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children, and stop their illegal adoption, forced Russification, indoctrination and militarisation. The resolution says 20,651 cases have been verified, about 1.6 million children remain under Russian occupation, and 2,752 children have so far been returned.
Key points
- MEPs voted 536 to 8, with 37 abstentions, to demand the immediate, safe and unconditional return of all deported Ukrainian children.
- The resolution's figures: 20,651 verified cases, about 1.6 million children under occupation, 2,752 returned so far.
- Returns must be part of any genuine peace agreement and never traded against territory or prisoners, the text says.
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- Parliament backed the ICC's arrest warrants over the deportations and called for wider sanctions on those responsible.
What happened
The deportation and forcible transfer of Ukrainian children from occupied territory has been one of the war's most charged questions since the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants over it in March 2023. Ukraine and its partners have made the children's return a standing demand in every negotiation format, including this week's talks in Abu Dhabi.
Thursday's resolution, adopted in plenary by an overwhelming majority, restates that demand in Parliament's strongest form and ties it directly to the peace process: no lasting settlement, MEPs say, can disregard the children's rights or the accountability of those who moved them.
What we know / what we don't know yet
What we know
- That the resolution was adopted on Thursday by 536 votes to 8, with 37 abstentions.
- The figures and demands stated in the resolution's text.
What we don't know yet
- Russia's response to Thursday's resolution — none appears in the reporting read.
- How many more children will be returned, and when — returns continue case by case.
Claim by claim
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Why this label: The Parliament's own report of its vote is the primary source; Euronews carries the same figures.
On the ladder: a claim earns Verified from primary evidence, or from two independent sources that do not copy each other.
Why this label: These are the resolution's own figures, stated in its text as carried by the Parliament; they are carried here as the resolution's figures.
On the ladder: a claim earns Verified from primary evidence, or from two independent sources that do not copy each other.
Why this label: The Parliament's summary of its own text.
On the ladder: a claim earns Verified from primary evidence, or from two independent sources that do not copy each other.
Why this label: The warrants were issued by the ICC in March 2023; Thursday's text restates Parliament's support for them.
On the ladder: a claim earns Verified from primary evidence, or from two independent sources that do not copy each other.
Why it matters
The vote lands while peace talks are actively running. By insisting the children's return is a legal obligation and not a bargaining chip, Parliament is trying to fix the terms on which Europe will judge any deal that emerges from Abu Dhabi and the rounds that follow.
Background
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The International Criminal Court issues arrest warrants against President Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova over the unlawful deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children.
Verified cases of deportation and forcible transfer reach 20,651, according to the resolution.
The number of children returned reaches 2,752, according to the resolution.
The European Parliament adopts its resolution demanding the return of all the children, by 536 votes to 8.
Update history
No silent edits. Every change is written here, with its time.
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Published — the resolution was adopted on Thursday and its text is public.