The European Union, in a statement delivered at the UN Security Council on 24 June 2026, warned of an unprecedented increase in grave violations against children in armed conflict, with a 34% rise in verified killings of children in 2025 and government forces responsible for the majority of violations for the first time. The statement, delivered by H.E. Ms. Hedda Samson, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to the UN, highlighted emerging risks from new technologies used in conflict, including for recruitment and targeting of children.
The EU urged all parties to uphold international law, implement joint action plans with the UN, and cooperate with international justice mechanisms. It specifically called on Russia to ensure the safe return of unlawfully deported Ukrainian children and to sign an action plan with time-bound commitments, noting that Russian forces have been listed for grave violations for the fourth consecutive year. The EU also condemned violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Israel, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Sudan, and expressed concern that funding cuts and peace operation drawdowns have reduced the UN's capacity to verify and respond to violations.
The statement reaffirmed the EU's support for the UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, SRSG Frazier, and noted the EU's role in extending her mandate through a 2025 resolution co-facilitated with Uruguay. The EU also highlighted its work with the African Union on the issue and encouraged ratification of relevant international instruments.