Difficult Negotiations Must Not Be an Excuse for Abandoning Diplomacy!

The European Parliament (EP) held a debate during its mini-plenary session on the situation of children forcibly deported to Russia or those living in Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine. Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, also took part in the debate. In her address, Viktória Ferenc, a Fidesz–KDNP MEP of Transcarpathian origin, emphasised: “As part of the humanitarian crisis devastating Ukraine, the deportation of 20,600 children and attempts to erase their Ukrainian identity have been documented. “As a Hungarian from Transcarpathia, I know firsthand what it means to have something as fundamental as the right to use your mother tongue restricted. That is why I strongly condemn these actions by Russia, as well as all similar violations of children’s rights.”

“Every day, we hear heartbreaking news from the Russia–Ukraine war, but nothing is more distressing than when a child becomes a victim of war. When a child loses their home or their father, or when their daily life is shaped by air raid alerts and missile attacks, and lessons held in bomb shelters. What kind of childhood is this, now for the fifth year running?” the MEP asked.

In her address, Viktória Ferenc stressed: “We must alleviate the tragic consequences of the war. However, our most important task remains to bring the war to an end and establish peace.”

“Madam High Representative, you have recently questioned the point of holding peace negotiations. Difficult negotiations must not be an excuse for abandoning diplomacy! Are you truly guided by the desire to ensure peace and security for Ukrainian children? For them, peace would be the greatest gift of all!” Viktória Ferenc concluded her address by putting a question directly to the High Representative.