Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand announced new funding and reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to reuniting thousands of Ukrainian children forcibly taken by Russian forces, speaking at a high-level international conference in Toronto.
The two-day Pathways to Peace conference brought together delegates from over 70 countries and international organisations to address what UN investigators have classified as crimes against humanity – the systematic deportation and forced adoption of Ukrainian children into Russian state care.
Survivors Share Harrowing Testimonies
Among the most moving moments came from Matviy Chos, a 19-year-old survivor who escaped Russian captivity earlier this year. Speaking through a translator at the conference, Chos recounted his experiences growing up in occupied Crimea, where he was subjected to relentless military propaganda from a young age.
“One military person came to our school,” Chos said. “He would tell us about the war, freshly off the front-line where he murdered people. They told us that if you are a real man, at 18, you too will go to kill people, especially Ukrainians, who are not a nation and who are not people.”
Chos, who is from Yevpatoria in Crimea, described how his family’s background provided some protection against the propaganda. Despite undergoing constant military training and witnessing the occupation firsthand, he maintained a strong sense of identity and belonging to Ukraine.
His escape six months ago was facilitated by the humanitarian organisation Save Ukraine, which receives Canadian government funding. The journey involved extensive documentation and a dangerous crossing through Belarus, highlighting the perilous nature of these rescue operations.
International Coordination and New Commitments
The conference, co-hosted by Canada, Ukraine, and Norway, served as a platform for announcing concrete measures to support affected children and their families. Minister Anand revealed $863,000 in new funding for organisations working directly with abducted children, bringing Canada’s total commitment to $7 million.
“The testimony that we have heard over the past two days underscores the intense and unacceptable suffering that we know exists at Russia’s hands,” Anand stated in her closing remarks.
Canada is also contributing artificial intelligence technology to help trace missing children, many of whom have had their identities changed as part of what officials describe as a systematic effort to sever ties between children and their Ukrainian heritage.
To date, authorities report that 2,573 Ukrainian children have been successfully returned to their families, though estimates suggest thousands more remain unaccounted for. Qatar has played a significant role in negotiating releases through diplomatic channels.
Broader Political Context and Future Concerns
The conference occurred against the backdrop of ongoing military action, with recent Russian missile and drone strikes destroying critical infrastructure in Ukraine, including the National Academy of Sciences. These attacks have raised concerns about whether returning children will have safe communities to rejoin.
Ukrainian Canadian Congress National President Alexandra Chyczij expressed gratitude for Canada’s support while warning that continued bombardment threatens the very foundations these children would return to.
“We need to bring these children and POWs and civilians home to something,” Chyczij said. “If the wanton bombing and destruction of Ukraine isn’t stopped, they will have no home to return to.”
Discussions are underway between Ottawa and Kyiv to establish long-term political, military, and economic support arrangements that could extend well into the future, reflecting the protracted nature of both the conflict and its humanitarian consequences.
Looking Ahead
The conference demonstrated rare international consensus on holding Russia accountable for what investigators say constitutes war crimes. More than 50 countries and organisations pledged to continue collaborative efforts focused on accountability and the safe return of every child.
Polish delegate Arletta Brzozowska emphasised the importance of maintaining focus on these objectives: “Accountability and the safe return of every child must remain at the centre of our common response.”
As survivors like Chos and his wife Dariia Tomashova – who herself escaped occupied Crimea just three weeks ago – continue rebuilding their lives, the international community faces mounting pressure to accelerate efforts to locate and repatriate the estimated 20,000 children still missing.
Why it Matters
This crisis represents one of the most systematic attempts at cultural erasure in modern history, targeting the youngest and most vulnerable members of Ukrainian society. The international response, led by Canada’s sustained financial and technological support, demonstrates how developed nations can coordinate meaningful humanitarian intervention even amid active warfare. However, the success of these efforts ultimately depends on whether the global community can simultaneously pressure Russia to cease its military actions while ensuring that returned children find not just safety, but stability and belonging in their homeland. The stakes extend far beyond individual rescues – they concern the preservation of Ukrainian national identity itself.
