Coalition to return Ukrainian children already includes 37 countries - Zelenska

According to Ukrinform, First Lady Olena Zelenska said this in an interview with journalists from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, El Salvador and Chile, the press service of the Presidential Office reports.

The President's wife stressed that Russia continues to conceal the data and whereabouts of Ukrainian children. Neither Ukrainian authorities nor international organisations have access to them.

Video: Olena Zelenska's telegram 

"Only the joint efforts of all free countries can counter Russian arbitrariness against defenceless children. It is encouraging that the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children is constantly growing. It is important that all countries of the world realise as soon as possible that the rights and protection of Ukrainian children are about the rights and protection of their children as well," Zelenska said.

She added that the coalition now includes 37 countries. Argentina has recently joined the coalition. 

During the interview, the First Lady also spoke about the work on the implementation of the All-Ukrainian Mental Health Programme "Are You OK?" and the activities of the Olena Zelenska Foundation.

As Ukrinform reported, on 17 March 2023, judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Children's Ombudsman Maria Lvova-Belova, who are suspected of war crimes in the form of illegal deportation and displacement of people, including children, from the occupied territory of Ukraine since at least 24 February 2022. 

Photo: OP