SAUDI ARABIA AND TURKEY AIM TO REPATRIATE UKRAINIAN CHILDREN TAKEN TO RUSSIA
KYIV (Reuters) – Mediated talks between Saudi Arabia and Turkey have been ongoing since April to bring back Ukrainian children taken to Russia, a source familiar with the discussions revealed today.
The source confirmed a report from the Financial Times that Riyadh and Istanbul are working together to negotiate the return of children who have either been placed in Russian children’s homes or adopted by Russian families.
Ukraine has accused Russia of carrying out illegal deportations, a claim denied by Moscow. Russia argues that the children were moved for their safety.
“Turkey and Saudi Arabia have displayed a keen interest in repatriating Ukrainian children,” said the anonymous source who spoke to Reuters.
The source stated that talks have been ongoing since April but suggested they could have begun earlier.
According to the Financial Times, talks between the parties involved have been taking place for a number of months.
The source did not comment on the progress of the talks, but expressed skepticism that an agreement would be reached, as it would require Russian President Vladimir Putin’s approval.
At the time of reporting, no response had been given by Russian and Turkish officials regarding the matter, while Saudi Arabia did not comment on the Financial Times article.
The source added that Saudi Arabia had earned trust by assisting with a large-scale prisoner exchange last year, which was one of the largest since Russia’s invasion in 2022. As part of the exchange, around 300 Ukrainians, including commanders who fought in the battle for Mariupol, returned home.
Ukraine estimates that almost 19,500 children have been taken to Russia or Russian-occupied Crimea since the invasion last year. Official Ukrainian figures show that only 385 children have been repatriated thus far.
In March, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Putin and Russia’s children’s rights commissioner, accusing them of abducting children from Ukraine.
Russia has rejected the ICC’s allegations, arguing that it does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction and dismissing the warrants as null and void.
Reporting by Max Hunder; Writing by Olena Harmash; Editing by Jonathan Oatis
Credit: The Star : News Feed
