HAMILTON, Canada

Canada, along with over 40 countries, issued a joint statement Tuesday calling on Russia to immediately and unconditionally return Ukrainian children who were "unlawfully deported and forcibly transferred" amid the ongoing war with Ukraine.

“We, the members of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, reiterate our unwavering commitment to the protection of children affected by Russia’s illegal, unprovoked, and unjustifiable full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, in line with international humanitarian law and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child," said the statement, issued by the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.

Citing documentation by international bodies, including the International Criminal Court, the coalition said thousands of Ukrainian children remain in Russia, separated from their families and communities.

It also referenced the Istanbul meeting in June, where Ukraine formally presented Russia with an initial list of 339 deported children and requested their return.

"This constitutes a critical humanitarian step and a genuine opportunity for the Russian Federation to demonstrate good faith through concrete confidence-building measures," it said.

The coalition urged Moscow to "act promptly and meaningfully on the initial list of children… ensure their immediate and unconditional return" and "facilitate the return of all unlawfully deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children."

It further demanded Russia provide "full and verifiable information" on the children's status, location, and health, and to "cease to alter the identity of children, including changes to their citizenship… ideological indoctrination, and exposure to militarization."

"The return of Ukrainian children is one vital step in this broader imperative, to ensure that children are never used as pawns of war," it said, stressing that all efforts must be guided by "the best interests of the child in accordance with international law."

In a separate statement, Canada and Ukraine expressed the "unwavering commitment of coalition members to protect children affected by Russia's illegal, unprovoked, and unjustifiable full-scale military invasion of Ukraine."

Canada also noted that the joint statement revealed "the coalition's commitment to coordinated action that supports Ukraine's efforts to ensure every unlawfully taken child is accounted for, returned home and is given the support needed to heal and reintegrate."