Zelenskyy Champions Child Return Initiative

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska embarked on an official visit to Austria, engaging in high-level discussions aimed at fostering cooperation and addressing the ongoing challenges faced by Ukrainians. A key highlight of their visit was the presentation of the “Bring Kids Back UA” initiative at Denmark’s largest democracy festival, involving a special panel with former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.

During the visit, President Zelenskyy and his Austrian counterpart, President Alexander Van der Bellen, explored Austria’s role in mediating discussions with Russia, particularly focusing on the return of Ukrainian children allegedly deported by Russia. Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Austria’s readiness to facilitate these critical negotiations.

In addition to bilateral talks with President Van der Bellen, Zelenskyy engaged in discussions with Austrian Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker, emphasizing the need for tougher sanctions against Russia. These discussions aimed to strengthen the international response to the ongoing conflict and ensure the protection of Ukrainian sovereignty.

Meanwhile, First Lady Olena Zelenska met with Austrian First Lady Doris Schmidauer to discuss initiatives supporting Ukrainians, including barrier-free projects and the introduction of a new Ukrainian-language audio guide. This meeting underscored the commitment of both nations to enhancing cultural exchange and support for displaced Ukrainians.