Discussions on Repatriating Ukrainian Children from Russia Underway

A knowledgeable source indicated today, Wednesday, that discussions brokered by Saudi Arabia and Turkey to repatriate thousands of Ukrainian children who have been transferred to Russia since the onset of the invasion have been ongoing since at least April. The source told the Financial Times that Riyadh and Istanbul are attempting to mediate an agreement to return the children who have been taken to Russia and placed in care facilities or adopted by Russian families. The source added to Reuters, "Both the Turkish and Saudi sides have shown particular interest in returning Ukrainian children." Furthermore, it was noted that "the discussions have been ongoing since April and may have started before that." However, there are doubts about reaching an agreement, as it would depend on Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating that "for him (Putin), returning them (the children) would mean admitting he is a war criminal."