Pope's envoy working on mechanism for return of Ukrainian children from Russia

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, whom the Pope appointed to hold "peace talks" with Ukraine and Russia, has said that he is working on a mechanism for the return of the Ukrainian children who have been abducted and moved to Russia.

Source: European Pravda with reference to Reuters, citing remarks made by Zuppi during an event in Rome on Tuesday.

The Papal envoy said he is working on a "mechanism" that could ensure that the children abducted by Russia are brought home.

"We'll see how we can start the mechanism for the children [and] help, like we said, on the humanitarian front, particularly the children that must be able to return to Ukraine," Zuppi said.

He added that he has personally discussed this issue and the results of his mission with Pope Francis.

Matteo Zuppi visited Ukraine in early June and met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He visited Moscow shortly afterwards. Zuppi met with Maria Lvova-Belova, the children's Ombudsman of the Russian Federation, who is accused of forcibly deporting Ukrainian children.

According to Daria Herasymchuk, Advisor and President’s Commissioner for Children's Rights and Child Rehabilitation, Ukraine has brought back 373 children from Russia; there is precise information about the deportation of 19,499 children, but the actual number may be as high as 200,000-300,000. 

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