MOSCOW, August 8. /TASS/. Russia actively promotes the reunification of Ukrainian children with their relatives, and claims to the contrary are a provocation, Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said commenting on the anti-Russian campaign by the West and Ukraine on the "children's theme."
"In this case (the statement of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, co-chaired by Canada and Ukraine - TASS) we are dealing with a new provocation and a desperate attempt to refocus public attention on the alleged ‘illegal deportation and forced displacement’ of Ukrainian children. Russia not only does not prevent, but also in every possible way promotes their reunification with their relatives," Zakharova said.
"The necessary work is being conducted through the Commissioner for Children's Rights under the President of the Russian Federation, Maria Lvova-Belova."
According to Zakharova, the absurdity of the "demands" put forward to Russia lies in the fact that a "meaningful response" on the "339 list" was provided on July 23 during the third round of Russian-Ukrainian talks in Istanbul.
"We repeat: 30% of the data from the list has not been confirmed, as a significant part of the children have never been to Russia, are adults, or have already returned to their families," she explained.
