Slovakia joined the international coalition for the return of Ukrainian children. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sibiga welcomed this decision. "For Ukrainian children illegally deported and forcibly transferred by Russia, every day away from their homeland is another day of childhood they can never get back. Your return cannot wait until the end of the war, and your return home is our joint responsibility. Thanks to Slovakia for joining the international coalition for the return of Ukrainian children as its 53rd member. Each new participant strengthens our joint efforts to return Ukrainian children to their homeland. It is also a powerful signal that the international community does not accept and will not tolerate the illegal deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children by Russia. Ukrainian children should never become a bargaining chip. Their return must be an integral part of any effort to achieve a just peace. All those involved in the commission of these crimes must be prosecuted. We will continue to work with our partners until every Ukrainian child returns home."