Ukraine: EU sanctions Russians over child deportations

"The European Council has announced new sanctions targeting 16 Russian individuals and seven entities "responsible for the systematic unlawful deportation, forced transfer, forced assimilation, including indoctrination and militarized education, of Ukrainian minors." It said they were also involved in "their unlawful adoption and removal to the Russian Federation and within temporarily occupied territories," in reference to the areas internationally recognized as part of Ukraine under Russian control."

"According to the Council, Russia is estimated to have deported and forcibly transported nearly 20,500 Ukrainian children. "These actions constitute grave breaches of international law and a violation of the fundamental rights of the child and aim to erase Ukrainian identity and undermine the preservation of its future generations," the European Council said."

"The EU listed several entities tied to the Russian Ministry of Education and individuals, including some working in occupied Ukrainian regions. It said those listed were subject to asset freezes and travel bans in the case of individuals and that EU citizens and companies were forbidden from doing business with or providing funds to them."

"This topic of child abduction also underpins the longstanding International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued against Russian President Vladimir Putin. The European Council is the arm of the EU that brings together all 27 heads of state or government of the member states. It needs to sign off on major foreign policy issues like bloc-wide sanctions."

The European Council announced sanctions against 16 Russian individuals and seven entities responsible for systematic unlawful deportation, forced transfer, forced assimilation, including indoctrination and militarized education, of Ukrainian minors. The measures also cover unlawful adoption and removal to the Russian Federation and within temporarily occupied territories recognized internationally as part of Ukraine under Russian control. Russia is estimated to have deported and forcibly transported nearly 20,500 Ukrainian children. The Council stated these actions constitute grave breaches of international law and violate fundamental rights of the child, aiming to erase Ukrainian identity and undermine future generations. The child abduction issue aligns with an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The EU imposed asset freezes and travel bans and prohibited EU citizens and companies from doing business with or providing funds to the listed parties.

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