The full-scale war in Ukraine is now into its fifth year. After an abrupt end to the latest round of U.S.-brokered peace talks, Ukraine continues to face pressure to cede its eastern regions to Russia, including areas still under Ukrainian control. With no end to the conflict in sight, Canada should focus international attention — particularly that of the United States — on the abduction of Ukrainian children and the terrible cost of occupation in Russian-controlled territories. Doing so could help take pressure off Ukraine to acquiesce to demands for territory it still holds and unblock a major obstacle to peace.
Since Russia’s latest invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, at least 20,000 cases of children being abducted and forcibly transferred by Russia have been reported. However, exact numbers are uncertain and are likely to be higher. These children are often vulnerable. They come from Ukrainian state-run institutions that house children who are orphaned, disabled or are put under state guardianship for welfare reasons. Others are separated from their parents during hostilities. Some have been deliberately taken from their parents at checkpoints by Russian forces and transferred to Russian territory.
Russia claims its actions constitute humanitarian evacuations and argues that it is in the children’s interest to remain under Russian control. Even when justified, evacuations of children must be temporary and prioritize reuniting families and returning children to their own country. Instead, Russia has failed to comply with the most essential special protections afforded to children and their families under the Fourth Geneva Convention while obstructing their return.
The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in 2023 for President Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia’s commissioner for the rights of the child, for the war crimes of illegally transferring and deporting children from occupied areas of Ukraine to the Russian Federation. Canada early in the conflict sanctioned Lvova-Belova for the abduction of Ukrainian children.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remains steadfast in his assertion that the return of these children is non-negotiable in any peace talks. Some returns have been secured through internationally supported mediations, but those pale against the number of abductions.
Why territorial concessions are dangerous for Ukraine
In the latest round of talks in February, Ukraine faced heavy pressure to cede eastern territory that it has been able to defend. Putin, in trying to justify his demand for more land, maintains the local population is Russian. The heavily fortified area Ukraine has established to protect itself should instead serve as a corridor for families and abducted children to return from territories Russia does occupy.
The stories of Ukrainian children who have been able to return demonstrate the hollowness of Russia’s claims. While living under Russian control, children have faced physical and psychological constraints. This includes “Russification” through forced assimilation, changes to their citizenship and names, and being banned from speaking Ukrainian. Some are sent to cadet schools and exposed to military propaganda, while others have been subjected to military training and forced conscription for Russian military service. In addition to being exposed to sexual violence, girls describe being denied access to contraception and abortion care.
It is in this context that Russia insists on acquiring all Ukraine’s eastern territory, including parts of the Donbas, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions that are still under Ukrainian control. It claims these regions are inherently Russian and best protected by Russia. Ukraine has fought hard to hold these areas and giving them up would leave the country vulnerable to future Russian aggression. Instead, Ukraine proposes a demilitarized zone with security guarantees provided by an international peacekeeping force. Putin recently has appeared more open to security guarantees, although the focus is still on the question of territory.
How Canada can shift the focus of peace talks
Canada must expose the cynicism of Russia’s territorial claims by exposing the treatment of abducted children as well as the situation facing residents in occupied territories. As co-chairs of an international coalition, Canada and Ukraine have been rallying support globally to help return and reintegrate these children to their families. This coalition now includes the U.S. government, which has called on Russia to return these children and, to that end, in December passed a bipartisan law in Congress — signed by President Donald Trump.
Yet the U.S. has still pushed Ukraine to cede territory to Russia to reach a peace deal.And with U.S. attention now on the war in the Middle East, there is a higher risk of the Trump administration furthering Russia’s demands in an attempt to secure a quick resolution. This possibility makes it even more crucial that Canada underscores the experiences of abducted children to insist that Russia remove its demand for Ukrainian-controlled territory from peace talks. Canada should promote and co-ordinate this message with other coalition members, including the U.S., at a planned summit to be held by the European Union, Canada and Ukraine.
Beyond diplomacy, Canada must continue to wield its sanctions laws. Multiple countries have used sanctions to hamper Russia’s ability to fund the war. The government should work with the U.S., U.K. and EU to apply further sanctions as Ukrainian authorities continue to identify those responsible — including officials in the Russian welfare, justice and security sectors — for the forcible transfer and deportation of children.
Amidst multiple international crises and with future rounds of peace talks pending, it is imperative that Canada keeps the world’s focus on the immediate and unconditional safe return of abducted children, as well as galvanize international partners and push for a just peace that does not include Ukraine giving up its eastern regions. Russia has violated all international rules on the treatment of children and the wider populations it occupies. Ukraine ceding more territory would only legitimize these crimes and encourage more in the future.
