On April 16, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha announced the launch of a new international campaign called #ChildrenAreNotNegotiable, aimed at drawing attention to 20,000 Ukrainian children kidnapped or displaced by Russia.

In his statement, the minister emphasized that the campaign kicks off during Holy Week before Easter, a time when many Ukrainian families are unable to reunite due to child abduction.

“We are launching this campaign to remind the world of the children who have fallen victim to this war,” stated Sybiha.

He also pointed out the systematic actions of Russia aimed at erasing Ukrainian identity by abducting children and placing them in Russian families.

The minister called for international investigations into these crimes and for holding the perpetrators accountable.

“A just peace is only possible if all these children are returned home,” he added, urging his counterparts worldwide to support the campaign.

Andriy Yermak, head of the President's Office, noted that Russia is holding control over up to 1.6 million Ukrainian children who have been deported or live in occupied territories.

In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin for the illegal deportation of children.

The White House’s Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, ceased funding for a research lab that was involved in locating abducted Ukrainian children.