11.12.2023
Bulgaria and more than 30 other countries and international organizations established in Kyiv a Coalition to Support the Return of Ukrainian Children who have been illegally deported or forcibly displaced by the Russian Federation from the provisionally occupied territories of Ukraine. Bulgaria was represented by Foreign and Security Policy Adviser Dragomir Zakov.
To date, there are more than 19,000 children who have been illegally displaced from Ukraine and separated from their families while the Russian authorities refuse to disclose their whereabouts. There is information about identity change and illegal adoption of some of the children by Russian citizens. The actions of the Russian Federation constitute a gross violation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It is one of the most serious violations on international humanitarian law and human rights as it affects the most vulnerable and defenseless individuals – children.
The initiative is part of the process initiated within the Peace Formula for Ukraine where Bulgaria, as a co-chair of the workgroup together with Finland, is now actively participating in issues such as food, nuclear and environmental security. On 7 December 2023, the cabinet approved the country’s Coalition membership and vowed that Bulgaria is willing to sign a declaration of the participating countries when the declaration is open for signature.
