Russia Denies Kidnapping Children During Special Military Operations In Ukraine

Vladimir Medinsky. (Wikimedia Commons/ pastel

JAKARTA - Russia denies kidnapping Ukrainian children, as the country's delegation submits a list of children's names expected to be returned, in peace talks in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday.

The Russian and Ukrainian delegations again held peace talks this time at the Ciragan Palace, Istanbul, after the first meeting on May 16 at the Domabance Palace, also in Istanbul.

In yesterday's talks, the Ukrainian delegation handed over a list of children expected to be returned.

The leader of the Russian delegation who is also President Vladimir Medinsky's aide said no single Ukrainian child was kidnapped during a Russian special military operation.

According to him, what Russia is doing is just saving children from shooting attacks. Now, it is taking steps to reunite them with their families.

"If you ask me how many children have been kidnapped, I will answer honestly - no one," he explained in an interview with the Rossiya-24 television channel, as reported by TASS June 3.

"Children were rescued by our soldiers in the middle of a shooting attack, risking their lives. Now, our social workers are involved in returning them to their families," Medinsky said.

He condemned the dirty politics played with the issue of children.

"It is important to ensure the return of each child to their home," Medinsky said.

"We have prepared ten cases. Ten more children will be reunited with their parents. By the way, according to the latest data, we plan to return nine children to Russia because their parents are here," he added.

Earlier, Ukraine's Chief of Staff President Andrey Yermak said the Ukrainian delegation handed over to Russia a list of children expected to be returned to Kyiv, during talks in Istanbul.

"During today's talks in Istanbul, Ukraine has officially handed over to Russia a list of Ukrainian children that need to be returned. This concerns hundreds of minors," he wrote on the Telegram channel.

According to Yermak, these children were brought "illegally" to Russia.

"We are waiting for an answer, the decision is in Russia's hands now," he added.