The European Union has condemned Russia's systematic policy of militarizing and indoctrinating Ukrainian children, stating that the practices may amount to crimes against humanity and war crimes, according to an EU statement delivered at the OSCE Permanent Council on 9 July 2026. The statement responds to a report by an expert mission under the OSCE Moscow Mechanism, which found that Russia has committed multiple violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in occupied Ukrainian territories and Russia itself. The EU called on Russia to implement the report's recommendations and facilitate the safe return of all deported children.
The Moscow Mechanism was invoked by 41 participating States, including all EU Member States, following credible reports of Russia subjecting Ukrainian children to militarization, indoctrination, and coercion aimed at erasing Ukrainian identity. The expert mission, led by Prof. Hervé Ascensio, Dr. Elīna Šteinerte, and Prof. Stefan Wolff, concluded that Russia's policy disregards the best interests of the child and violates rights to identity, family, education, and freedom of thought. The report documents a coordinated system operating through education, military-patriotic training, youth movements, and legislative changes, creating a pipeline toward conscription in occupied territories. Under international criminal law, the mission found that the policy, carried out on discriminatory grounds as part of a widespread attack, may constitute a crime against humanity, and numerous incidents may be classified as war crimes.
The EU noted that it has already adopted sanctions against 131 individuals and entities responsible for the unlawful deportation, forced transfer, and forced assimilation of Ukrainian minors as of May 2026. The EU remains committed to the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children and supports efforts for their return, reintegration, and rehabilitation. The statement was also endorsed by Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, and Ukraine.