Negotiation Stalemate Over Ukrainian Children

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Tuesday that Russia has halted negotiations regarding the return of Ukrainian children.

“We can’t seem to make an agreement concerning our children’s return,” Zelensky said while responding to questions from journalist Robert Sherman.

He mentioned that while some countries can facilitate certain benefits for children’s groups, his government struggles to establish broader agreements.

“We provide them with a list and coordinate returns,” he noted, referring to partners like Qatar and the Vatican. “We hand our list of children to them, and they assist us. Unfortunately, at the level of Ukrainians and Russians, this is just not achievable.”

Since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russian forces have reportedly been taking thousands of Ukrainian children, granting them Russian citizenship, enrolling them in local schools, and placing them with Russian families.

Estimates vary on the total number of affected children. A group from Yale University found that at least 19,000 children have been deported to Russia, but the actual figures may be higher.

In May, a group of senators, including Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), introduced a resolution calling for these children’s return prior to any peace agreement aimed at ending the conflict.

President Trump is set to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska later this week for discussions on peace. Last week, the U.S. president expressed his openness to talks about potential territorial exchanges between Kiev and Moscow.

Zelensky emphasized that the return of these children is a critical component of negotiations, which also include a call for a ceasefire.

“That’s why we wanted to address specific issues through this trilateral approach: ceasefire, all exchanges, and the return of children,” he explained. “It’s something that could benefit everyone. President Trump’s interests would align, and both Russians and Ukrainians wouldn’t face losses. It’s a reasonable compromise.”

He also suggested that Trump might be capable of extracting concessions from Putin.

“President Putin often communicates with ultimatums, but I think he lacks sufficient leverage with Trump,” Zelensky concluded.