Taoiseach Simon Harris said the “morally repugnant” abduction of Ukrainian children from their home country is a top priority at a peace summit this weekend. 

Mr Harris is among over 100 representatives at a two-day summit dedicated to solutions to end the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. 

He told reporters yesterday he welcomed Ireland’s focus of the summit on returning children to Ukraine. 

“We have seen around 20,000 Ukrainian children effectively abducted from their families, community and country,” he said. 

“When did it become acceptable for children to be a weapon of war? It is utterly illegal and morally repugnant.” 

Simon Harris and Deputy Prime Minister Fuad Hussein of Iraq attend the opening plenary session of the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, in Obburgen, Switzerland, Saturday June 15, 2024. Image: Urs Flueeler/Keystone via AP

He said it is “shocking” to see the abduction of children still used as a “weapon of war” in the 21st century in conflicts around the world. 

“If Ukraine returns one child every day, it would take 55 years to get all of their children back,” he said. 

“When you read the evidence and the narrative of what’s happening to children - interrogation, electric shocks, torture – these are the horrors a boy experienced. 

“In a busy world where conflict competes for space, we must make sure that awareness right across the world of these horrific war crimes against children that are taking place today.” 

The Taoiseach said the world must be “restless” in its attempts to recover and support abducted children and thanked Canada and Norway for leading the summit’s initiative. 

“But if we’re being honest, the world as a collective isn’t doing nearly enough,” he said. 

“We must challenge ourselves and stretch ourselves to do more - We must ask ourselves practically what we can do more.” 

Rescuing Ukrainian children

Mr Harris said countries could work with multilateral agencies and support recovered children with psychological support. 

He also said countries with ties to Russia involving the churches is “compelling and interesting”. 

“It's not enough to be just absolutely disgusted and repulsed by this behaviour by Russia – we have to ask ourselves what practically we are going to do,” he said. 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky voiced hope of getting an international agreement for a proposal to end the war that he could present to Moscow. 

Russian representatives were also invited to the summit but did not attend.