Mr. Speaker, as we enter the fifth year of Russia's invasion of sovereign Ukraine, I want to bring attention to the ongoing abduction of Ukrainian children. Over 35,000 Ukrainian children have been abducted since the start of the war, stolen from their families through manipulation, coercion and violence, and relocated to Russia for ideological re-education, military training and abuse. Only 2,000 have been repatriated.
The United Nations demands their immediate and unconditional return. This forcible abduction of children to de-Ukrainize them is a grave violation of international law. The Geneva Convention is clear on this issue. No child should have their identity erased.
Russia is now bartering a child for the return of each Russian prisoner of war. This is a disgusting violation of the rights of the child. Canada must continue to lead on this issue. Ukraine's war is our war. Ukraine's children are our children.