The abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children are among the main crimes committed with complete impunity. This was stated today by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaia Kalas, in a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, BTA reports.
The MEPs and the High Representative discussed "the need to hold Russia accountable for its war crimes in Ukraine".
"Exactly years ago, photos of bodies from Bucha, families fleeing, hysterical children, people running or riding bicycles", said Kalas. These photos showed in an indisputable way what happened. There is an endless amount of evidence in the form of photographs, videos and recorded conversations between the military leadership. There is no way to deny what happened. We know who is responsible for this bloodshed, she commented, adding that the number of war crimes in this conflict is staggering.
The consequences for the children left in Ukraine are also severe, noted Kalas. According to "Save the Children", about four million children have been forced to interrupt their education, at least temporarily, since the beginning of the war. More than 4,000 schools have been affected, with more than 10% of the country's educational infrastructure completely destroyed. Attacks on health facilities have also put the lives of children, including the chronically ill, at risk, she added.
According to Kalas, the birth rate in Ukraine has fallen by 30% since the beginning of the war and is currently among the lowest in the world. "Russia is destroying Ukraine's present and taking away its future", she said. The EU is part of the international coalition calling for the return of Ukrainian children and will do everything possible to return these children to their families in Ukraine. She also pointed out that the EU has imposed sanctions on over 70 individuals responsible for the forced deportation of Ukrainian children and their militarization.
"When this war ends, and it will end at some point, it will not only require efforts to reconstruct the affected settlements, but also to restore justice and accountability for the crimes committed by Russia. Only if justice is done will Ukrainian families be able to move forward and rebuild their lives," added Kaia Kalas.