European Parliament proposes sanctions against Belarusian officials
On November 12, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling for the expansion of sanctions against Russian, Belarusian, and North Korean officials involved in the deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children, as well as against the entities that facilitate these processes.
“The mention of North Korea in the European Parliament resolution, in the context of the abduction of Ukrainian children, is a new element—whereas Belarus had been mentioned previously. This time, the resolution also addresses North Korea, as its representatives are part of a system that facilitates the illegal transfer of children from territories occupied by Russia,” stated Thijs Reuten, a Member of the European Parliament from the Netherlands who helped draft the resolution.
According to the MEP, sanctions should also be imposed on individuals who directly assist in altering the identity of Ukrainian children or are otherwise involved in their illegal transfer—for example, the directors of the camps where these children are taken, as well as other officials.
On March 17, 2023, the International Criminal Court in The Hague issued international arrest warrants for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova, in connection with the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children to the territory of the Russian Federation.
In June 2025, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) recognized Alexander Lukashenko’s responsibility for the transfer of Ukrainian children from occupied territories.