Ukraine repatriation and detention diplomacy

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha held trilateral discussions with officials from Norway and Canada to coordinate efforts regarding the repatriation and rehabilitation of Ukrainian children, detained citizens, and prisoners of war. During these talks, Sybiha called for international support for reintegration and targeted sanctions to ensure accountability.

Following these discussions, Canada, Ukraine, and Norway announced they will co-host an international conference in Toronto on September 28 and 29, titled ‘Pathways to Peace: Second International Conference on Returning Ukrainian Children, Detained Civilians, and Prisoners of War’. The event aims to strengthen international cooperation on tracing and returning affected individuals, specifically addressing the unlawful deportation of children and the detention of civilians.

Global Affairs Canada noted that Ukrainian authorities have documented 20,651 cases of possible unlawful deportation or forcible transfer of children, with 2,573 returned to date. While 1,878 civilian detentions have been confirmed, some organizations estimate the total number of detained civilians could reach 20,000.