Ukraine-Lithuania Unite for Child Return

In a significant diplomatic meeting, Dariia Zarivna, Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine and Chief Operating Officer of the Bring Kids Back UA initiative, engaged with Inga Stanytė-Toločkienė, the Ambassador of Lithuania to Ukraine, to enhance international cooperation on the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. The meeting, held on June 19, 2025, focused on the key areas of the Bring Kids Back UA initiative and highlighted its priorities for the coming year.

Zarivna emphasized the necessity of not only returning children to Ukraine but also ensuring their reintegration, asserting, “Bringing a child back to Ukraine is only the first step. A child needs not only safety, but also care, support, and the opportunity to heal.” The discussion underscored the importance of the reintegration system for returning children, which is a crucial part of their recovery and well-being.

Special attention was given to an initial list of abducted children, which Ukraine presented to Russian representatives during negotiations in Istanbul earlier in June. Zarivna urged for the return of at least some children from this list as a demonstration of Russia’s commitment to resolving the issue. The meeting further addressed the Safe Pathways Home initiative under the Montreal Pledge, recognizing the vital role of international collaboration in identifying the abducted children’s whereabouts and developing effective strategies for their return.

Both Ukrainian and Lithuanian representatives acknowledged the critical importance of support from partner countries in this humanitarian effort. Their continued collaboration aims to strengthen the international response to the challenging situation and ensure the safe return of Ukrainian children to their homeland.