Experts of the third mechanism of the OSCE arrived in Ukraine to collect data and facts about the deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia, including illegal adoption and assimilation in Russia. They met with Daria Gerasimchuk, an adviser to the Ukrainian President's Commissioner for Children's Rights and Child Rehabilitation, the website of the Office of the President reports.

 "We thank you for the launch of the third OSCE mechanism and are ready to provide all the support you need to receive the information you need. I am convinced that not only Ukraine, but also the entire European and world community are looking forward to your conclusions regarding the issue of the deportation of Ukrainian children," the advisor said. .

 The meeting was attended by experts of the third mechanism of the OSCE, Dr. Elina Steinerte, Professor Veronika Bielkova and Cecilia Hellesthwaite, who, as noted, have extensive experience in the field of international humanitarian law and human rights. During the meeting, they received information about the situation with Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, heard stories told by the children after returning to Ukraine.

 Gerasimchuk emphasized that Ukraine strives to "completely stop the forced transfer of Ukrainian children to the Russian Federation and insists on their safe return to their homeland and reunification with their families." She added that the international legal mechanism should not only prove the criminality of the intentions and actions of the Russian occupiers towards Ukrainian children, but also lay the foundation for the protection of children from other countries of the world.

 In March 2023, 45 OSCE countries engaged the "Moscow Mechanism" to investigate human rights violations by Russia in Ukraine. It provides for sending a mission of experts to provide assistance and solve problems, including those related to the illegal movement of Ukrainian children.

 On March 17, the International Criminal Court issued warrants for the arrest of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russia's Commissioner for Children's Rights Levova-Belova. They are suspected of illegally deporting and moving Ukrainian children to Russia.

 Today, April 19, the plenary session of the European Parliament will discuss the issue of the return of Ukrainian children illegally deported by the occupiers to the territory of Russia, as well as the warrant of the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the arrest of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.