Washington, September 19, 2026: Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi met with advocates from the American Coalition for Ukraine this week to discuss congressional efforts aimed at helping Ukrainian children who Ukrainian authorities and international organizations say were unlawfully transferred or deported to areas under Russian control.

In a social media post, Pelosi said the meeting focused on how the U.S. Congress could contribute to efforts to bring the children back to their families. She also highlighted the situation of families who continue to wait for information about and the return of their children.

The group Pelosi met with is associated with the @AmericaforUA account, which represents the American Coalition for Ukraine, a coalition of organizations advocating for Ukraine in the United States.

Congressional Action on Ukrainian Children

The meeting comes shortly after a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers introduced the Justice for Ukrainian Children Act on September 17.

The proposed legislation would provide funding for efforts to identify and return Ukrainian children, maintain evidence related to alleged unlawful transfers, and impose measures against individuals involved in the deportation, indoctrination or militarization of children. Nancy Pelosi is listed among the legislation’s original congressional cosponsors.

The bill would authorize $15 million annually through 2032 for efforts to locate children, facilitate their return and support their recovery. It would also establish reporting requirements for the U.S. government concerning efforts to bring the children home.

Thousands of Children Remain the Focus of International Efforts

The scale of the issue has become a major subject of international attention since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The European Commission says Ukrainian authorities have recorded more than 20,500 children as having been unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred to Russia and temporarily occupied territories. It says slightly more than 2,100 children had been returned at the time of its latest published figures.

Canada, Ukraine and Norway are also preparing to co-host an international conference in Toronto on September 28–29 focused on returning Ukrainian children, detained civilians and prisoners of war. According to Canada’s government, Ukrainian authorities have confirmed 20,651 records of possible unlawful deportation or forcible transfer of children, while 2,573 children had been returned as of the figures cited in its September announcement.

International Legal Proceedings

The issue has also entered international accountability mechanisms. A recent Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe hearing brought together representatives from international organizations and Ukrainian institutions to discuss evidence concerning the transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children and efforts to secure their return.

U.S. law already contains provisions supporting investigations into the alleged abduction of Ukrainian children, assistance for family reunification and rehabilitation, and cooperation with Ukrainian authorities on investigations and prosecutions.

Pelosi Calls Attention to Families Waiting for Their Children

Pelosi’s latest meeting places the issue of missing and transferred Ukrainian children within the continuing debate in Washington over U.S. policy toward the Russia-Ukraine war.

The discussion also illustrates how advocacy organizations are engaging members of Congress on the issue. The American Coalition for Ukraine has previously organized advocacy efforts and campaigns focused on congressional action concerning Ukraine.

As international governments and organizations continue working on identification, tracing and family reunification, the return of Ukrainian children remains part of broader diplomatic, humanitarian and legal discussions surrounding the war.