Qatar mediates transfer of eleven Ukrainian children from Russia

Eleven Ukrainian children were set to depart Russia for Ukraine on Monday to reunite with their families, in a new transfer facilitated with Qatar's mediation.

Aged between 2 and 16 years old, these children and their relatives were received on Monday at the Qatar Embassy in Moscow and are scheduled to travel to Ukraine on Tuesday via Belarus.

Some children in this group, including two aged five and six, suffer from chronic illnesses and require specific medical attention.

In total, 59 children have already been repatriated to Ukraine through this mechanism, according to Moscow.

Russia has been accused by Kiev of "deporting" thousands of children to its territory from the regions it occupies in Ukraine. Moscow, on the other hand, claims that it transferred these children to ensure their safety amidst the conflict and is prepared to return them to their families in Ukraine upon request.

Last year, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against Vladimir Putin and Russian child commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova for "war crimes" due to this policy, a decision the Kremlin considers null and void.

"Qatar is working closely with its Russian and Ukrainian counterparts, advancing on the reunification initiative while also seeking ways to build trust in other areas," stated Lolwah al-Khater, Qatar's Minister of State for International Cooperation, in a statement.

"We will continue to mediate between the two parties for as long as necessary, with the hope that it may lead to a de-escalation of the conflict," she added.

Qatari diplomats will accompany the eleven Ukrainian children on their journey to Ukraine.