Approximately 1.3 million Ukrainian children currently reside in the EU – a statement by Zelenskyy and von der Leyen

Approximately 1.3 million Ukrainian children currently reside in the EU, according to a joint statement on International Children’s Day by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and President Ursula von der Leyen. “The Temporary Protection Directive has been instrumental in providing these displaced Ukrainian children with immediate access to healthcare, education, and other social systems within the EU. We are committed to continue ensuring their proper enrolment in education, and work towards the mutual recognition of their learning outcomes,” the statement reads, as quoted by the press service of President Zelenskyy.

The leaders also condemned Russia’s actions, as Russia’s war of aggression is depriving Ukrainian children of these rights.

“We vehemently condemn illegal deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children, adding to the list of Russia’s war crimes. We urgently call upon Russia to immediately stop these deportations, to put an end to the practice of so-called ‘expedited adoptions’ and return these children,” the document reads.

Zelenskyy and von der Leyen, who met on the sidelines of the Second meeting of the European Political Community on June 1 in Moldova, also stressed that the war was having a devastating impact on all Ukrainian children, “often leaving profound psychological scars”. “Our priority is to ensure their mental health and closely monitor their well-being. So, we pledge to establish a specialised e-learning program for paediatricians and primary care medical staff. Through this initiative, we will equip healthcare professionals with the necessary skills to provide trauma care and improve children’s mental health conditions. We are committed to offering specialised rehabilitation services to distressed children in both Ukraine and the European Union. We will also cooperate on the implementation of the comprehensive All-Ukrainian Mental Health Program and its corresponding reform,” they stated.

According to the statement, the European Commission has also committed to supporting Ukraine’s childcare reform, with a pledge of 10 million euros.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Moscow has denied targeted attacks on civilians, children in particular, despite evidence and witness statements.

During one of the latest strikes of Russia on the night of June 1, a child was murdered in Kyiv.

Overall, according to the Prosecutor General’s Office, at least 484 children died and 992 were injured because of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine as of June 1.On March 17, the International Criminal Court in the Hague issued an arrest warrant against Russia’s President Vladimir Putin for the war crime of unlawful deportation of children from occupied areas of Ukraine.

Radio Svoboda