Kyiv, Ukraine 

The global community’s condemnation of Russian aggression and its unwavering support for Ukraine have been amplified in a high-level meeting in Kyiv. Pere Joan Pons Sampietro, the President of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA), met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on October 7, 2025, to emphasise solidarity and support for Ukraine’s fight and to commit the Assembly’s significant political weight toward securing the return of illegally deported Ukrainian children.

The dramatic events of the conflict, particularly the humanitarian tragedy of child abductions, took centre stage, with President Pons assuring Kyiv that the cause of Ukraine remains the top priority for the world’s largest regional security organisation.

Amplifying Ukraine’s Voice Against Aggression

During the meeting, President Pons, a Member of Parliament from Spain, stressed that the collective voice of the OSCE PA’s 323 parliamentarians from 57 participating States serves as a “huge megaphone” to provide value-based support to Ukraine. He unequivocally stated that the Assembly is “united in this fight — because your fight is our fight,” underscoring the political resolve of the parliamentary body against Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Headline Points:

 * Unwavering Solidarity: OSCE PA President Pere Joan Pons declared Ukraine’s struggle against aggression the number one priority for the Assembly.

 * Focus on Abducted Children: Pons pledged to reinforce international support for the return of children illegally deported by Russia.

 * Proposed Special Envoy: President Zelenskyy suggested appointing a special envoy under the OSCE PA President to focus exclusively on the repatriation of Ukrainian children.

 * Joining International Coalition: The OSCE PA confirmed it would join the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.

 * Accountability for Aggression: Both leaders agreed on the need for an international tribunal to prosecute the crime of aggression.

The Priority of Abducted Children

President Zelenskyy specifically highlighted the forced deportation of Ukrainian children as a paramount humanitarian and diplomatic challenge, a crime he described as impossible to resolve through traditional prisoner exchanges.

“We would be happy if you could focus, Mr. President, on the topic of our abducted Ukrainian children,” President Zelenskyy implored. “This is a priority for us… because we cannot exchange children with the Russians, and it’s understandable why. That is why we need to bring them back to their families, to their relatives. And the voice of the OSCE and of its parliamentarians is very important.”

In a concrete move to intensify action, President Zelenskyy formally proposed the establishment of a special envoy position under the OSCE PA President, dedicated solely to the issue of the children’s return.

New Mechanisms for Accountability and Justice

In response, President Pons assured the Ukrainian President that the OSCE parliamentarians would continue to intensify support in every corner, including within their national parliaments. The Assembly confirmed it would formally join the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, providing a significant political and legal boost to Kyiv’s efforts.

Furthermore, the leaders discussed the broader issue of justice and accountability. They concurred on the critical need for an international tribunal to prosecute the crime of aggression, stressing that a just peace for Ukraine must remain high on the international agenda. The pair also discussed joint efforts to secure the release of other individuals unlawfully held by Russia, including prisoners of war and civilians.

The visit, which included an address by President Pons to the Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine’s Parliament), solidified the OSCE PA’s commitment to utilising all available legal and political mechanisms to assist Ukraine and maintain pressure on the Russian Federation until peace is achieved. This coordinated parliamentary effort seeks to ensure that universal values are defended and that the perpetrators of aggression are held to account.