Dear Ms Kiel, dear Mr Klitschko, what motivated you to publish the book “Stolen Lives”?

Tatjana Kiel: When we heard about the fate of the abducted children, we did what has to be done. We acted. It was clear to us that we had to help. While we were organising support, we noticed that many people had never even heard of these systematic crimes. Hence the book. We wanted to shed light on it and, above all, enable the rescued children to have their say.

Your book talks about the traumatic experiences of children and their families. Is there a story that particularly moved you?

Wladimir Klitschko: I met a boy from Kherson who was brought back. At first, he was totally withdrawn, but since he’s a boxer like me, we found common ground and he slowly opened up. I’ll never forget how his face slowly brightened as we shadow boxed. These kids have experienced things that no child should ever experience.

Tatjana Kiel: For me it’s little Ewa on our book cover, whose story I’ll never forget. For her mother, a soldier, it was too dangerous to get her out of Russia, which made the rescue mission extremely difficult. The fact that we got her back and she later died of a childhood illness, breaks my heart. There are countless fates like these that need to be heard.

The book describes how the abduction of Ukrainian children is part of a systematic strategy by Russia. What do you think Russia wants to achieve with these child abductions?

Wladimir Klitschko: The war crimes in Ukraine have many faces. One of them is stealing our children, our future. This already began in 2014 when the Russians started the war with the occupation of Crimea. Russia wants the country without its inhabitants and to wipe out the existence and history of Ukraine. They brainwash the stolen children; in the worst case, they go on to fight against their own countrymen.

The NGO “Save Ukraine” has already rescued more than four hundred children; yet in light of the hundreds of thousands of children thought to have been deported since the war began in 2014, that’s just a drop in the ocean.

Wladimir Klitschko: In terms of numbers, there may not be so many. But every single child we can save, counts. We won’t give up. We need to join all forces. Politics, business and NGOS must stand together. And as quickly as possible, as it becomes increasingly difficult to find the children as time goes by.

Tatjana Kiel: That’s precisely why we need to continue educating people. We need to tell their stories so that we get support, also in the form of donations. Talk about it, tell others!

Dear Mr Klitschko, you yourself had a career as a top athlete and know how important mental strength and resilience are. How can Ukraine help the affected children and their families to come to terms with the trauma?

Wladimir Klitschko: Life cannot be stopped. The resistance and resilience of the Ukrainians came as a shock to the Russians. We stick together and we only get stronger. The fate of the stolen children is very present in Ukraine and action is also being taken at government level.

What role does the international community play in uncovering these kidnappings? What support do you expect from organisations such as the UN?

Tatjana Kiel: Wladimir and I were recently at the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in New York. We had the opportunity to talk to more than 15 UN diplomats about the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children and the rescue approaches to date. Time and again, we encounter a willingness to support us in our cause. And that makes us hopeful. But of course a lot more needs to happen.

Wladimir Klitschko: The commitment of many on the international stage is needed if the children are to be found and rescued. It must go beyond individual initiatives.

International arrest warrants have already been issued against Vladimir Putin and his Commissioner for Children’s Rights. Do you believe that both of them and other responsible parties will ever be brought to justice?

Wladimir Klitschko: Many of Russia’s crimes committed in Ukraine are not officially recognised or condemned. Fortunately, the abduction of our children is not one of them. Behind every crime there is a face, a name. The perpetrators who steal our children and tear them away from their families will also be held accountable one day.

Tatjana Kiel: Our rescue missions are also about securing facts. Each case is documented in detail for subsequent prosecution. This is often very time-consuming, but vital.

What can Ukrainian authorities and international organisations do to support returned children over the long term?

Tatjana Kiel: We offer support to the rescued children and their families in the Hope & Healing centres of Save Ukraine. They need psychological support and time to reconnect with one another. The children were often separated from their families for many months. This all costs money, and it’s only with donations that we can keep these aid organisations running. Similar measures should be implemented and supported at all levels.

What’s your message? Many people have very little knowledge about the abducted children, and for others, they simply lose interest when it comes to the war in Ukraine.

Wladimir Klitschko: Basically: We hope that support for Ukraine continues and that the policy on Ukraine is not overturned. We depend on support. Also for our children. So that we can save as many as possible.

Everyone knows it’s not just the war that’s terrible, but also turning a blind eye, a lack of leadership, perpetual hesitation and a lack of self-confidence to punish the offenders. If the so-called free world continues on this course, we’ll continue to lose children, cities, nature, the fight for democratic values and freedom. And then, in no time, we’ll also talk about your children.

Many thanks.

The interview was conducted by Dr Franziska Rinke (Policy Advisor Rule of Law Dialogue and International Law) and Konstantin Otto (Editor of The Political Opinion), Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V.

This interview was translated by Pippa Carr.