Vatican no longer facilitating return of Ukrainian children from russia, Qatar remains sole mediator

The Vatican is currently not engaged in efforts to facilitate the return of Ukrainian children from russia, leaving Qatar as the only active intermediary in the process.

Kateryna Rashevska, a PhD in International Law and an expert with the Regional Center for Human Rights, made the statement during a briefing at the Media Center Ukraine.

She noted that with the Vatican’s involvement and Pope Francis’s support, some children previously held under russian control were able to return. After Pope Leo settled into his new role on the Throne of Peter, he delivered several encouraging remarks on the issue. However, since then, neither Ukraine nor russia has reported any child returns through Vatican mediation.

“We hope the Vatican’s efforts to secure the return of Ukrainian children will be renewed. But at present, Qatar is the only country serving as a mediator,” Rashevska said. She added that South Africa has also expressed readiness to assist, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has already handed over a list of children, though no results have followed.

Read more: https://mediacenter.org.ua/news