Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has acknowledged the efforts of Qatar and the Vatican in facilitating the return of Ukrainian children who were illegally deported by Russia. Despite ongoing disagreements with Moscow over the issue, Zelenskyy expressed appreciation for the diplomatic role played by these two entities. The situation remains unresolved, as Ukraine has been unable to reach a bilateral agreement with Russia on the repatriation of the children.
During a recent press briefing, Zelenskyy stated that the mediation process by Qatar and the Vatican has been successful in securing the return of several children. However, he also emphasized that Ukraine continues to face challenges in ensuring the full repatriation of all the affected children, as negotiations with Russia are ongoing. The president reiterated his call for continued international support and cooperation in resolving this humanitarian crisis.
Zelenskyy’s comments come amid ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Russia, which have been exacerbated by the war in eastern Ukraine. The deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia has been a major point of contention, with Ukraine accusing Moscow of using the children as leverage in its aggressive military campaign. The Vatican and Qatar have both been vocal in their support for Ukraine, with Qatar having provided significant humanitarian aid and the Vatican offering diplomatic and spiritual support to the affected families.
International observers have praised the efforts of Qatar and the Vatican in addressing the crisis, noting that their involvement has helped to bring attention to the plight of the Ukrainian children. However, the lack of a formal agreement between Ukraine and Russia remains a significant obstacle to a complete resolution. Zelens, as he is commonly known, has called for continued diplomatic efforts to ensure the safe return of all the children and to hold Russia accountable for its actions.