United to win: Ukraine and US strengthen cooperation on family support and return of Ukrainian children
One of the central topics of the meeting was the return and reintegration of Ukrainian children illegally deported and forcibly displaced by Russia. The minister stressed that physically bringing a child home is only the first stage. Russia does not simply relocate Ukrainian children, but systematically tries to change their identity through so-called "re-education," separation from Ukrainian culture, family, and religion, and in some cases, the military training of children.
Photo source: Ukraine's Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity
According to Denys Uliutin, Ukraine and its partners are building a full support pathway for such children, from their identification and return to reintegration and long-term assistance.
The participants also discussed the role of churches and religious organizations in supporting families and communities. Tony Perkins noted that the American experience shows the important role of church communities in building cohesive communities and supporting families. The sides agreed that one promising area could be establishing direct links between American churches, charitable organizations, and foundations, and Ukrainian organizations that work directly with families and children.
Pavlo Unhurian, head of the Ukrainian-American Partnership Platform and coordinator of Ukraine's National Prayer Breakfast movement, presented a separate proposal for developing this partnership. He proposed building cooperation in two interconnected areas: supporting families and children, and shaping long-term policy aimed at Ukraine's demographic recovery. According to him, Ukrainian and American churches, charitable organizations, businesses, and civil society can create more direct mechanisms for cooperation to support Ukrainian families and communities.
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29 of August 2026
