As part of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to South Africa, he discussed with President Cyril Ramaphosa the need to return Ukrainian children who had been allegedly forcibly taken to Russia. The two leaders were speaking at the Union Buildings in Pretoria today.
Zelensky uses South Africa trip to highlight abducted children
Volodymyr Zelensky met with Ramaphosa at the Union Buildings earlier today. Among the topics they discussed was the issue of Ukrainian children that have reportedly been abducted by Russian forces.
In a press conference after the meeting, Zelensky said that he had given Ramaphosa a list of 400 Ukrainian children who had been allegedly kidnapped from parts of Ukraine occupied by Russia.
During his working visit to South Africa, Zelensky detailed his concern about the children, calling the reported abductions a “horrible problem”.
“We need to get them back,” he added.
According to the Ukrainian government, 19 546 Ukrainian children have been either deported or forcibly displaced. These children have allegedly been taken from territory occupied by Russia and sent to Russia, Belarus or other occupied parts of Ukraine. The children have allegedly been abused and undergone forced adoption into Russian families. The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2023 for this alleged war crime.
Call for Ramaphosa’s assistance to return Ukrainian children
Furthermore, Zelensky used his South Africa visit to express hope that Ramaphosa would assist in efforts to return the children. He said:
“South Africa is a core leader of a global coalition to bring Ukrainian kids home. I truly hope that President Ramaphosa will help us bring them home indeed.”
Reflecting on his trip to South Africa, Zelensky described the topic as the second-most important in his meeting with Ramaphosa. He added:
“South Africa has already helped us a lot. We want you to help us even more.”
On Universal Children’s Day in November last year, South Africa hosted a conference about the return of Ukrainian children as part of the Ukrainian government’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative. However, Daily Maverick reports that South Africa has not officially joined the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.
Elsewhere in his remarks to the media, Zelensky emphasised how South Africa’s close ties to Moscow can help to mediate between Ukraine and Russia. It has been over three years since Russia launched an invasion into Ukraine.
What can South Africa do to help return these children reportedly abducted?
Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
