Brussels, May 11, 2026 — Canada has reinforced its leadership role in international efforts to return Ukrainian children forcibly deported or displaced by Russia, as the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, concluded her participation in the High-level Meeting of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children in Brussels.
The meeting, co-hosted by Canada, the European Union, and Ukraine, brought together coalition members to coordinate international action aimed at addressing the ongoing human rights violations against Ukrainian children amid Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Following extensive discussions with international partners, Minister Anand reaffirmed Canada’s commitment as co-chair of the Coalition and announced a series of new measures designed to strengthen Canada’s support for Ukraine’s humanitarian and accountability efforts.
Expanded support for
human rights monitoring in Ukraine
A key announcement was Canada’s extension of funding for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights’ Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) through the end of 2027. Canada will contribute an additional $3.4 million, bringing its total support to $4.8 million.
The funding will allow the mission to continue documenting and reporting on human rights conditions across Ukraine, with a particular focus on the humanitarian consequences of Russian attacks on critical infrastructure and the forced displacement of civilians.
Canada signs landmark International Claims Commission convention
In a significant legal and diplomatic step, Minister Anand also signed the Convention establishing the International Claims Commission for Ukraine, making Canada the first country outside Europe to do so.
The Commission is a central pillar of the international compensation mechanism designed to address damages caused by Russia’s war of aggression. It will assess claims submitted through the Register of Damage for Ukraine, which has already received more than 150,000 claims from individuals, organizations, and public bodies.
Once operational, the Commission will review and determine compensation for verified claims, strengthening the international legal framework aimed at ensuring accountability and reparations.
Minister Anand’s signature underscores Canada’s continued commitment to international law and to holding Russia accountable for violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty and human rights.
New sanctions targeting violations against Ukrainian children
Canada also announced new sanctions against 23 individuals and five entities involved in the unlawful deportation, forcible transfer, indoctrination, and militarization of Ukrainian children.
These measures add to Canada’s existing sanctions regime, which now targets more than 100 individuals and entities linked to abuses against Ukrainian children in both occupied territories and within Russia.
Officials emphasized that the sanctions are part of a broader international effort to address what has been widely condemned as systematic violations of children’s rights during the war.
Canada to host follow-up ministerial conference in Toronto
Concluding her participation in Brussels, Minister Anand extended an invitation to international partners to attend a ministerial conference in Toronto on September 28–29, 2026.
The conference will focus on the return, rehabilitation, and reintegration of Ukrainian deported children, as well as detained civilians and prisoners of war. It will build on previous diplomatic efforts, including the 2024 Ministerial Conference on Ukraine’s Human Dimension Peace Formula held in Montréal.
The upcoming Toronto meeting aims to assess progress under the Montreal Pledge, enhance coordination among international partners, and identify concrete steps to support Ukraine’s long-term recovery and humanitarian needs.
Expanding international coalition
Since the Coalition’s last meeting during the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025, several new members—including Cyprus, Monaco, Panama, Switzerland, and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly—have joined, bringing total membership to 49 participants (46 states and three international organizations).
A sustained commitment to justice and accountability
Canadian officials reiterated that the establishment of the International Claims Commission and continued support for human rights monitoring reflect a broader international consensus: that accountability, justice, and the protection of Ukrainian civilians—especially children—remain central to any future resolution of the conflict.
Canada’s participation in both the Coalition and the emerging compensation mechanism underscores its ongoing role as a key international advocate for Ukraine’s sovereignty, humanitarian recovery, and legal redress.
Nadia Gereliouk
