Slovakia joins international coalition seeking return of Ukrainian children

Slovakia has joined the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, confirming its participation through a diplomatic note handed over on 2 November. The move adds Slovakia to international efforts seeking the safe return of Ukrainian children who have been unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred during the war.

Marek Eštok, Slovakia's State Secretary for EU Affairs, announced the step on X, formerly Twitter, according to European Pravda. He said he had met the ambassadors of Ukraine and Canada to formally deliver the note confirming his country's accession to the coalition. The diplomatic handover was the purpose of the meeting described in his announcement.

Eštok said Slovakia's participation would contribute to the international work aimed at returning the children safely. He presented the decision alongside other assistance his country has provided to Ukrainian children, stressing that its support reaches beyond membership in the coalition.

Among those efforts, Eštok cited Slovakia's help with renovating school shelters in Ukraine. He also pointed to stays organised in Slovakia for the children of Ukrainian emergency workers and police officers. Both were among the examples he gave when describing his country's assistance outside the newly confirmed coalition membership.

Slovakia has also welcomed thousands of Ukrainian children into its education system, Eštok said. Describing the objective shared by those supporting the children's return, he said: "Our shared goal is to see these children safely reunited with their families and back home."

The announcement follows other European measures concerning Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. In late September, Norway was reported to be increasing its financial support for humanitarian efforts involving those children, as well as civilians deprived of their liberty and prisoners of war.

Norway announced an additional contribution of NOK 25 million, equivalent to €2.3 million. The funding covered humanitarian efforts concerning all three groups, with abducted Ukrainian children included alongside detained civilians and prisoners of war in the support described.

Separately, on 28 September, the Council of the European Union imposed sanctions on another 10 individuals and 17 entities. Those measures concerned their involvement in the illegal transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia and within Russian-occupied territories. Slovakia's confirmation of coalition membership came after those September announcements.