«Three Years, Countless Futures: Protecting Freedom and Ukraine’s Children» Forum Held in Vilnius on February 21
The forum, dedicated to the third year since beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion, took place at the Ukrainian Center in Vilnius, established under the initiative and patronage of the First Ladies of Ukraine and Lithuania. The event brought together representatives of the governments of both countries, international organizations, human rights defenders, psychologists, and experts.
Participants focused on one of the most painful aspects of the war — the forced deportation of Ukrainian children by Russia. Discussions centered on the importance of providing assistance for their reintegration and the role of the international community in this process.
Opening the forum, President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda emphasized that the world must do everything possible to protect Ukrainian children. “Our task is to unite efforts to bring Ukraine and Europe closer to a just, sustainable, and lasting peace,” he stressed.
First Lady of Lithuania Diana Nausėdienė, addressing the participants, highlighted that the war not only deprives Ukrainians of their natural right to sovereignty but also destroys children’s educational, social, and economic prospects, endangering their health and cultural identity.
In a video address, First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska called on participants from various countries to become the voice of Ukrainian children — those killed, maimed, and abducted. She urged them to act as mediators in their return and to help reintegrate those who have already been brought back, as their psychological and social losses are immense and cannot be overcome alone. She emphasized that Ukraine has launched the Bring Kids Back UA program at the initiative of the President to support these children.
Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budrys underlined that Russian aggression has persisted for over a decade, targeting the systematic destruction of Ukrainian identity, including through deliberate crimes against children. “Lithuania actively supports international initiatives to hold Russia and its allies accountable for these crimes and remains a steadfast partner of Ukraine on its path to victory and long-term security in Europe,” he stated.
Ukraine’s Ambassador to Lithuania Olha Nikitchenko expressed gratitude to the President of Lithuania, the First Lady, Vytautas Magnus University leadership, and international partners for their support. She emphasized: “I am proud that the long-term vision of the Ukrainian Center is being realized. It is now a strong institution that not only supports Ukrainians and our culture but also raises the most pressing issues for Ukraine. But today’s topic is more than just an important issue. It is about justice and the future of our nation. We are here to be the voice of those who cannot speak for themselves—our children.”
The first panel "Ukraine’s Children – A Future Under Threat" focused on the scale and systematic nature of the deportations and their impact on children’s psychological well-being. Participants heard the testimony of Ivan Matkovskyi, a Ukrainian student who was rescued from deportation to Russia. Before the discussion, Tordis Kolbrun Reykfjord Gylfadottir, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe on Children’s Issues in Ukraine, stressed that the forced deportation of Ukrainian children is an international crime and assured that the Council of Europe would make every effort to ensure their return.
Speakers of the panel:
The second panel, "International Support for Reintegration and Recovery," was dedicated to best practices in child rehabilitation, as well as the role of international organizations and partner states in supporting Ukraine.
Speakers of the panel:
As part of the event, the exhibition "Lost Childhood" was opened, which is part of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Bring Kids Back UA initiative.
The forum became a powerful platform for international discussions, reaffirming that crimes against Ukrainian children must receive due recognition, perpetrators must be brought to justice, and the return and rehabilitation of children must become a shared global priority.