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Canada doubling down on work to reunite Ukrainian children ‘stolen’ by Russia: Anand
Canada is co-hosting a summit in Brussels as officials seek new funding to identify children and gather evidence of possible war crimes.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand is in Brussels for a Monday summit co-hosted by Canada to address the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russian officials.
In 2024, the Trudeau government co-launched an international coalition to push for the return of abducted youth; Ukraine and allies estimate 20,000 children were abducted, while Yale University's Humanitarian Research Lab believes Russia holds 35,000.
Anand said stolen children often undergo indoctrination, forced to learn the Russian language and reject their own culture, though Moscow rejects these claims, suggesting some children were brought to safety voluntarily.
Qatar has acted as an intermediary between Moscow and Kyiv to facilitate returns, as the coalition meets this week to review new funding for identifying children and gathering evidence of possible crimes.
Following the Brussels conference, Anand will meet NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte to discuss Arctic security, and she will head to Oman and Qatar to discuss regional issues and ongoing Ukraine policy.