Zelensky explained why it is very difficult to return children abducted by Russia.

Ukraine is actively exchanging military personnel with Russia, but the return of Ukrainian children is extremely complicated. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky stated this in an interview with CBN.

«It is very difficult to return children... We cannot exchange children one for another. A significant part of these children are Ukrainian children who were forcibly deported. We did not kidnap or deport Russian children. This never happened. Our operation in the Kursk region confirms this. No one was abducted, no one was killed, no child was harmed», - said Zelensky.

The president noted that Ukrainian servicemen are exchanged for Russian servicemen, and so far over 3,500 Ukrainian servicemen have been returned despite Russian blockade. There are also procedures for the return of civilians.

Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine has verified the status of 19,500 children whom Russia forcibly deported. He also reminded that the Russian ombudsman earlier reported about 700,000 Ukrainian children whom Russia took out of Ukraine.

«These are their official data. I don't know how true it is, but it's horror, they write about having kidnapped children», - said Zelensky.

Currently, Ukraine is working to return its children through partner countries such as Qatar and the Vatican, as well as with the help of other countries. In total, according to the president, 1,030 children have been returned.

Zelensky expressed hope that with the help of European partners and the USA, Ukraine will be able to end the war and the priority will be the issue of returning its citizens.

Ukraine has returned 1,029 Ukrainian children from Russia

Ombudsman of the Verkhovna Rada for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets reported that as of today, Ukraine has returned 1,029 Ukrainian children from Russia. During a telethon, he emphasized that Qatar is the main mediator in this matter.

Yesterday, five Ukrainian children returned from Russia and the temporarily occupied territories to the controlled territory of Ukraine. This was reported by Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak. He noted that among those returned are three young Ukrainians who have just turned 18. Two of them had been in Russia for a long Time, where they experienced psychological pressure, and the third young man, not having family support, finally managed to leave the temporarily occupied territory.

Earlier, Australia joined the International Coalition of Countries for the return of Ukrainian children deported by Russia.