Slovakia joins coalition to bring home Ukrainian children deported by Russia

Slovak Foreign Ministry State Secretary Marek Eštok announced the decision on November 2 after meeting with the Ukrainian and Canadian ambassadors and formally handing over a diplomatic note confirming Slovakia's accession.

"By joining, Slovakia is contributing to international efforts to ensure the safe return of Ukrainian children who have been unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred during the war," Eštok said.

He also highlighted Slovakia's other efforts to support Ukrainian children, including renovating school shelters in Ukraine, organizing stays in Slovakia for children of Ukrainian emergency workers and police officers, and enrolling thousands of Ukrainian children in Slovak schools.

"Our shared goal is to see these children safely reunited with their families and back home," Eštok said.

The coalition brings together countries working to secure the return of Ukrainian children taken to Russia or transferred from their homes during the war.