The European Union has condemned Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and announced an additional €50 million to strengthen Ukraine's child protection system, in a statement delivered at the OSCE Permanent Council on 14 May 2026. The statement, published by the EU Delegation to the International Organisations in Vienna on 4 June 2026, also details new restrictive measures against 16 individuals and 7 entities responsible for the deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children.
The statement notes that on 11 May in Brussels, the EU, Ukraine, and Canada co-hosted a High-Level Meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of the Ukrainian Children, with representatives from nearly 60 countries. According to Ukrainian estimates, Russia has forcibly transferred and deported nearly 20,500 Ukrainian children. The EU's new restrictive measures target those responsible for systematic deportation, forced transfer, and assimilation of Ukrainian minors, including through indoctrination, militarised education, and unlawful adoption.
The additional €50 million will support child protection, expand child-centred and community-based services, support early childhood education, improve access to justice, and reinforce digital systems, including for compensation claims. The EU also reiterated its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all prisoners of war and civilians arbitrarily detained by Russia, including three OSCE officials: Vadym Golda, Maxim Petrov, and Dmytro Shabanov.
The statement condemns Russia's intense strikes against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including a large aerial attack that killed six people. The EU demands Russia cease its aggression, withdraw all forces, and respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It also condemns the deployment of DPRK military forces and continued military support from Iran, Belarus, and the DPRK, and urges all countries to cease assistance to Russia.
Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, and Ukraine aligned themselves with the statement.