Ukraine, Canada Lead Child Return Summit

On September 23, 2025, the Leaders’ Summit of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children took place in New York, coinciding with the 80th session of the UN General Assembly. Co-chaired by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the summit addressed the urgent need to bring back Ukrainian children abducted amidst ongoing conflicts.

President Zelenskyy highlighted the success of the Bring Kids Back UA initiative, which has led to the return of 1,625 children. He called for increased international cooperation and sanctions against those involved in the abductions, urging summit participants to support First Lady Olena Zelenska’s projects on children’s reintegration and rehabilitation.

The gathering also included a commitment from Ukraine to present a UN resolution condemning the abduction and deportation of children. Zelenskyy stressed the importance of global recognition of these actions as crimes, while Olena Zelenska emphasized the humanitarian aspect of the issue, urging for decisive action.

Canadian leaders, including Prime Minister Carney and First Lady Diana Fox Carney, pledged continued support. They emphasized the Coalition’s objective of reuniting children with their families and assured that the mission would persist until all children are safely returned.

The summit saw participation from over 40 delegations, including heads of state and international organizations, all affirming their support for Ukraine’s efforts to repatriate children taken by Russia.