British News Agency

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the international conference to be jointly organized by Ukraine, Canada and Norway in Toronto on September 28–29 will focus on coordinating international efforts to return Ukrainian children, civilians and prisoners of war to their country.

Sybiha said: “Every Ukrainian child deported by Russia, every civilian unlawfully detained, and every prisoner of war held in Russian captivity must return home.” He said the conference aims to accelerate returns, strengthen protection for people under Russian control, and provide the necessary support for the reintegration of those who return to their country.

Sybiha argued that Russia abducts children, unlawfully detains civilians and uses captivity to inflict suffering on Ukrainian families and pressure Ukrainian society. He said: “Moscow must understand that taking Ukrainians away from their homes will not make them Russian, and keeping people in captivity will not give Russia political leverage over Ukraine.”

Sybiha said that during his meeting with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand in Toronto, they discussed preparations for the conference and expanding international participation. Thanking Canada and Norway for working with Ukraine to bring countries and international organizations together around this effort, Sybiha said they expect concrete results from the conference.

Sybiha said: “We want this conference to result in stronger international coordination, more countries actively participating in return efforts, and ultimately more Ukrainian children, civilians and prisoners of war reunited with their families.”