The War Against Ukraine’s Children

Russia’s war on Ukraine is having devastating impacts on children and families. More than 7 million children are affected, having experienced violence, loss of family members, displacement, and disrupted education. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian children have been separated from their families and communities and forcibly transferred to Russian-occupied territories or deported to Russia and Belarus. Some have been placed in Russian foster and adoptive families and given Russian nationality. Many of these children have been transferred to “camps” and other facilities, where Russian officials have said they are “integrated” and receive “patriotic education.” Efforts to return forcibly deported children to Ukraine have been piecemeal amidst Russian obstructions. Fewer than 2% of those abducted have been returned to Ukraine.

International law is unambiguous when it comes to the protection of children affected by conflict. And yet, mechanisms for enforcement and accountability are proving to be inadequate as thousands of children and families remain vulnerable to attacks and forcibly separated across conflict lines. In this conversation moderated by Gillian Huebner, executive director of the Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues at Georgetown University, panelists will outline Ukrainian efforts to protect its children and the measures international partners can take to support an effective response to the impact of Russia’s policies of aggression on Ukraine’s future. Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States Oksana Markarova will provide opening remarks. A reception will follow the conclusion of the question and answer session.

This event is convened by the Georgetown University Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues in partnership with the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, the Embassy of Ukraine in the United States, and the U.S. Department of State.

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Nicole Chulick is the deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor at the U.S. Department of State, where she oversees the bureau’s Europe and South and Central Asia offices.

Joel Hellman is the dean of the Walsh School of Foreign Service (SFS) at Georgetown University, where he brings a unique and valuable perspective from his work on issues of governance, conflict, and the political economy of development. He joined SFS following 15 years of service at the World Bank, where he most recently served as chief institutional economist and previously led its engagement with fragile and conflict-affected states as director of the Center on Conflict, Security, and Development in Nairobi, Kenya.

Mykola Kuleba is a Ukrainian public and political figure, founder and chief executive officer of Save Ukraine, and president of the Children’s Rescue Service. Kuleba previously served as the commissioner for children’s rights and head of children’s services in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Kyrylo Lapko is the head of the international relations office at the Coordination Center for Family Upbringing and Child Care Development, which was established by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, First Lady Olena Zelenska, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Dmytro Lubinets is the Ukrainian Parliament commissioner (ombudsman) for human rights. Prior to June 2022, Lubinets was people’s deputy and chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights.

Oksana Markarova is the current ambassador of Ukraine to the United States, serving since 2021. Prior to her current appointment, she served in Ukraine’s Ministry of Finance as first deputy minister and government commissioner on investments and as a minister of finance.

Lesia Zaburanna has been representing the city of Kyiv in the Parliament of Ukraine since 2019, where she chairs the subcommittee on public expenditures. Zaburanna co-chairs the Ukraine-Canada Parliamentary Friendship Group and serves on a working group established by the president of Ukraine to form a special tribunal for crimes of aggression against Ukraine.

Gillian Huebner (moderator) is the executive director of the Collaborative on Global Children’s Issues at Georgetown University. A global child rights and protection specialist, she is a member of the Bring Kids Back UA task force at the invitation of the Office of the President of Ukraine.