03/26/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/26/2026 12:19
26 March 2026 - 19:54
The United States is launching a new program to rescue Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. This was announced by First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska following her meeting with Acting Under Secretary of State for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs and Religious Freedom Jeremy Lewin and Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Riley Barnes.
The U.S. Department of State announced the launch of a new $25 million support program. It will be the first comprehensive initiative covering all stages of rescuing Ukrainian children abducted by Russia - from identification to return and reintegration.
The First Lady thanked Jeremy Lewin and Riley Barnes for their support and cooperation.
Olena Zelenska noted that, within the framework of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy's initiative Bring Kids Back UA, 2,048 children abducted by Russia have already been returned to Ukraine.
"However, thousands remain in Russian captivity - separated from their loved ones, without communication, without access to truthful information, and in an environment of intimidation and deception. Only the cooperation of all those who care, along with the efforts of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, can accelerate rescue and justice," the First Lady emphasized.