Ukrainians turning to Russia for help in EU child custody cases

Ukrainian families have been asking Russian diplomats for assistance in getting back their children who have been away from them in the European Union as Ukrainian embassies refuse to help them, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at a press briefing.

"Ukrainian citizens struggling to get their children back have been turning to Russian diplomats abroad. These children have been snatched by EU social services," Zakharova said, adding that dozens of children have been taken.

"These people are seeking for anyone to help them as they are desperate to get their children back. And they are turning to Russia," the diplomat continued. According to her, they realize that, despite the West and Kiev’s propaganda and the pressure being exerted, "we are no enemies to the very people who have been victimized by the regime [of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky]." "For we are the only ones who can truly protect them in this situation," she maintained.

According to the Russian diplomat, 225 children have been ripped away from their parents in the European Union. Germany faced what she said was the most unfortunate situation, where 71 children were taken away from Ukrainian parents. "And the situation is not much better in other countries: 33 children in Poland, 25 in Italy, 24 in the Czech Republic, and 17 in Sweden," Zakharova said.

Commenting on a meeting of the so-called coalition for the return of Ukrainian children slated for April 11, the Russian diplomat excoriated the cynicism of Kiev and its Western patrons who she said were using the issue in order "to attract as many countries as possible and then present this as early efforts toward putting Zelensky’s notorious `peace formula’ into practice."