Mr. President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of Lithuania, Poland, and my own country, Ukraine. We thank the panellists for their valuable contributions.

The latest report of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine documents serious violations by Russian authorities, including the forcible deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children.

The Commission concluded that these actions cannot be justified as temporary evacuations under international humanitarian law and were carried out without the consent of parents or Ukrainian authorities.

In 80% of documented cases, children have still not been returned to their families.

The Commission confirmed these acts constitute war crimes and may amount to crimes against humanity, given their systematic nature. Each child represents a story of separation, fear, and lost innocence, and behind every statistic is a family longing for reunion.

We urge all states, as well as international organizations and mechanisms to intensify efforts to protect Ukrainian children, ensure their safe return, and prevent further crimes against them. The world must act decisively to restore what has been taken and to safeguard the future of these children.

Thank you.