Zelenskyy gave Pope Leo XIV list of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia

“We also raised the issue of the children during our conversation [with the Pope] and presented a list of 400 — a significant number,” Zelensky said during a press briefing

“In addition, we discussed several other humanitarian issues. The Vatican has shown its readiness to invite and organize a meeting for all parties, including European officials, and we welcome their participation.”

In 2023, the European Parliament reported that up to 300,000 Ukrainian children might have been illegally “deported” to Russia. EMPs concluded that Russian authorities began removing Ukrainian children in 2014, following the occupation of Crimea and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.

According to the Ukrainian government, at least 19,546 children had been deported or forcibly relocated by Russia as of May 2025, and 2,196 are considered missing.

On May 18, Pope Leo XIV met with Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska at the Vatican. Zelensky expressed gratitude to the pope for the audience and to the Vatican for offering to serve as a venue for potential direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.