Slovakia formally joins effort to bring home Ukrainian children

Slovakia has officially entered the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. State Secretary for EU Affairs Marek Eštok confirmed the move on social media, marking a new diplomatic step for the Central European nation.

The formal process concluded on November 1. Eštok met with ambassadors from Ukraine and Canada to present a diplomatic note. This document serves as the legal instrument for Slovakia’s accession to the group dedicated to repatriating minors.

The coalition aims to secure the safe return of children who were unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred during the war. Eštok stated that Slovakia is contributing to these international efforts through its membership.

Beyond the diplomatic note, Eštok detailed existing domestic measures supporting Ukrainian families. Slovakia has renovated school shelters within Ukraine. The country also organized stays for the children of Ukrainian emergency workers and police officers. Additionally, thousands of Ukrainian children have been integrated into the Slovak education system.

This accession follows recent financial and regulatory actions by other nations. In late September, Norway announced a new contribution of NOK 25 million, or €2.3 million, to support humanitarian efforts for abducted children and prisoners of war. On September 28, the Council of the European Union sanctioned ten individuals and seventeen entities for their roles in the illegal transfer of children to Russia and occupied territories.

Eštok emphasized that the shared goal is to see these children reunited with their families. The diplomatic note handed over on November 1 places Slovakia alongside other nations working to achieve that outcome.