Coalition of 49 States Meets in Brussels, Announces €50M EU Fund and Canada's Claims Commission Signature; 2,100 Ukrainian Children Have Been Returned
The International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children held its first high-level ministerial meeting in Brussels on May 11, co-chaired by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, Commissioner Marta Kos, Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. The EU announced nearly €50 million for Ukraine's child protection system, Canada signed the International Claims Commission convention and imposed new sanctions on 23 individuals and 5 entities, and a follow-on ministerial was confirmed for Toronto on September 28–29.
The International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children convened its first high-level ministerial meeting in Brussels on May 11, 2026, with opening remarks from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The meeting was co-chaired by EU High Representative and Vice President Kaja Kallas, Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand, and Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha.
The coalition, which the EU joined in September 2025, now counts 49 member states and international organizations. New members since September 2025 include Cyprus, Monaco, Panama, Switzerland, and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.
Children and returns
The co-chairs' summary document, published by Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, states that over 2,100 Ukrainian children have been returned and supported through rehabilitation and reintegration programs under the Bring Kids Back UA initiative. Thousands remain forcibly separated in Russia and Russian-occupied territories. Ukraine's Ministry of Justice has officially confirmed more than 20,000 children as deported or forcibly transferred.
Financial commitments
The EU announced nearly €50 million to reinforce Ukraine's child protection system, covering early childhood education, digital capacities, and compensation claims infrastructure.
Canada announced CAD 3.4 million for the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), extending its existing support for monitoring and documentation of violations.
Claims commission
Canadian Foreign Minister Anand signed the Convention establishing an International Claims Commission for Ukraine, making Canada the first country outside Europe to sign. The Commission, once operational, will incorporate the work of the Register of Damage for Ukraine and assess claims from individuals and companies who suffered loss, damage, or injury in Ukraine resulting from Russia's full-scale invasion since February 24, 2022. Canadians, Ukrainians living in Canada, and Canadian companies are eligible to submit claims.
Sanctions
The EU announced restrictive measures against 23 additional individuals and entities targeted for their responsibilities in the systematic deportation, forced transfer, forced assimilation — including indoctrination, militarized education, and unlawful adoption — of Ukrainian minors by the Russian Federation.
Canada simultaneously imposed sanctions on an additional 23 individuals and five entities involved in violations against Ukrainian children.
Six priority strands and next steps
The co-chairs' summary identified six areas guiding the coalition's work: expanding tracing and data verification; scaling organized returns; strengthening the diplomatic track; reinforcing reintegration and rehabilitation; advancing accountability; and coordinating sanctions across member states.