Kyiv estimates almost 19,500 kids have been taken to Russia or Russian-occupied Crimea since final 12 months’s invasion. File picture for illustration.
| Photo Credit: AFP
Talks being mediated by Saudi Arabia and Turkey on the repatriation of Ukrainian 1000’s of kids taken to Russia since Moscow’s invasion have been underneath manner since not less than April, a supply with data of the discussions mentioned on Wednesday.
The supply confirmed a Financial Times report that Riyadh and Istanbul have been making an attempt to dealer a deal to deliver residence kids who’ve been have been taken to Russia and positioned in kids’s houses or adopted by Russian households.
Ukraine has accused Russia of finishing up unlawful deportations. Moscow, which controls components of Ukraine’s east and south, denies abducting kids and says they’ve been transported away for their very own security.
“The Turks and the Saudis especially have been showing an interest in bringing Ukrainian children back,” the supply, who requested to not be recognized, advised Reuters.
The supply mentioned talks had been occurring since April but in addition mentioned they may have began earlier.
The Financial Times, quoting 4 individuals acquainted with the talks, mentioned on Tuesday that discussions had been underneath manner for a number of months.
The supply didn’t point out to Reuters how the talks have been going, however expressed doubt {that a} deal could be reached as a result of it could rely on Russian President Vladimir Putin. “For him to give (the children) back would mean that he agrees that he’s a war criminal,” the supply mentioned.
Russian and Turkish officers didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark. Saudi Arabia didn’t touch upon the Financial Times article.
The supply mentioned Riyadh had received belief after serving to final 12 months to barter one of many largest prisoner swaps since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. About 300 Ukrainians returned residence underneath the alternate, together with commanders who fought an extended battle for the town of Mariupol.
Kyiv estimates almost 19,500 kids have been taken to Russia or Russian-occupied Crimea since final 12 months’s invasion. Ukrainian official figures present 385 kids have been repatriated to date.
In March, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Putin and Russia’s kids’s rights commissioner, accusing them of abducting kids from Ukraine.
Russia rejects the ICC allegations, saying it doesn’t recognise the court docket’s jurisdiction and calling the warrants null and void.
Source: www.thehindu.com
