Abducted Ukrainian Children

Lord Pickles Excerpts

Wednesday 18th June 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

My noble friend does a wonderful job with the Council of Europe, and we have supported the things that he describes. We also raise this at the OSCE and in every other fora in which we are able to do so. I agree with every word that he said, and I urge him to continue to make the case that he does.

[Lord Pickles (Con)]

My Lords, the numbers could be even higher, as President Putin is giving Russian administrators in occupied Ukraine a quota of children to be delivered. In this terrible situation, one of the worst things is that the most vulnerable children are being targeted, particularly the children of people serving in Ukraine’s armed forces. When the time comes for a peace negotiation, will the Minister do her best to ensure that the return of these children is non- negotiable?

[Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)]

Absolutely. This is a crime. Children should never be pawns of war, but this is happening. Many of the children, as the noble Lord says, are the most vulnerable children; some were taken from institutions, and some at check- points. They are now in Russian institutions, some in Belarusian so-called recreation camps, some with families. It is the not knowing, I think, that adds to the pain and torture of the families. Some of these children are now becoming adults and are being required to serve in the armed forces. This is abhorrent, and we will continue to raise this. I am glad that we have the noble Lord’s support.