TORONTO — More than 50 countries have signed a pledge to boost their efforts to return Ukrainians from Russian captivity — including an estimated 20,000 children.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand announced what she called a “Toronto Pledge” today as she closed a conference on returning abducted civilians and prisoners of war from Russia and occupied Ukrainian territories.

She said the pledge calls for better co-ordination between governments, civil society and international organizations on efforts to reunite Ukrainian families.

She said more than 80 countries and major international organizations took part in the two-day conference, which heard from Ukrainians who experienced torture and programming meant to strip them of their identity.

Anand said that working with a diverse range of countries has tripled the number of children returned to Ukraine in the past two years, bringing the total to 2,600.

She said India has been talking with Russia, Qatar used its influence to bring 80 people out and Lithuania helped provide transit for those fleeing captivity.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 29, 2026.