Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the debate entitled Situation of the children of Ukraine held at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 25 January 2024.

We strongly condemn the forcible transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia or Russian-controlled territories of Ukraine. The UK welcomes the Council of Europe's role in highlighting this issue and supports the Reykjavik Declaration on the situation of the children of Ukraine. We continue to call on Russia to cease forced transfers, allow unhindered, immediate and safe access for humanitarian organisations. They must facilitate the safe return of children to Ukraine, in line with Russia's obligations under international law.

We are a participant in the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. In June 2022, the UK also sanctioned Putin's so-called "Commissioner for Children's Rights" Maria Lvova-Belova, for her alleged involvement in the forced deportation and adoption of Ukrainian children.