Russian President Vladimir Putin has once again made headlines with his latest actions, this time targeting the freedoms of Ukrainian children in occupied parts of the country. During a meeting with President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Grand Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Putin announced new restrictions that have sparked outrage and condemnation from the international community.
According to the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD), Russia has introduced a new law that prohibits Ukrainian children under the age of 14 from traveling abroad unless they have a Russian passport. This means that these children can only travel to allied Russian countries such as Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russian-occupied parts of Georgia without proper documentation proving their Russian citizenship.
This move by the Kremlin is seen as yet another attempt to erase Ukrainian culture and identity, a policy known as “Russification”. The MoD has stated that this law is intended to make it more difficult for Ukrainians with children to leave the areas currently under Russian control. It is also a clear indication of the Russian senior leadership’s long-standing policy of Russification in occupied Ukrainian territory, which seeks to eradicate Ukrainian culture, identity, and statehood.
This is not the first time that Putin has imposed such restrictions on Ukrainian children. In the past, he has forced all schools in Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine to teach solely in Russian, with a blanket ban on the Ukrainian language. In addition, a new Kremlin-friendly curriculum has been introduced, glorifying the Russian invasion of Ukraine and depicting Ukrainians as Nazis. Any parents who resist this curriculum risk losing custody of their children.
But Putin’s actions do not stop there. He has also mandated that any Ukrainian nationals living in Russia or in sovereign Ukrainian territory occupied by Russia must “settle their legal status” by September 2025 or leave. This move is seen as an attempt to force Ukrainian nationals to accept Russian passports and citizenship. Those who disobey risk losing access to essential services such as banks, pensions, and healthcare.
Furthermore, male Ukrainians aged between 18-30 with Russian passports are now liable for conscription into the Russian military. This is a clear violation of their rights and a blatant attempt to increase Russia’s military presence in the region.
Currently, Putin controls a fifth of Ukraine’s sovereign land and is trying to force Ukraine to hand over more in the US-brokered peace talks. This latest move by the Kremlin is a clear indication that Putin is not interested in finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Instead, he is using his power and influence to further his imperialistic agenda and expand Russia’s control over Ukraine.
The international community has condemned Putin’s actions, with many calling for immediate action to be taken to protect the rights and freedoms of Ukrainian children. The UK’s Ministry of Defence has released a statement saying, “This was almost certainly intended to compel Ukrainian nationals living in areas under Russian control to accept Russian passports and citizenship.” They have also urged the international community to stand with Ukraine and support their fight against Russian aggression.
The situation in Ukraine is dire, and the actions of Putin only serve to escalate tensions and further destabilize the region. The ongoing trilateral discussions between Washington, Kyiv, and Moscow in the UAE have yet to yield any significant progress towards peace. In fact, the latest update from the Ministry of Defence on the situation in Ukraine, released on February 11, 2026, paints a grim picture of the current state of affairs.
It is clear that Putin’s actions are not only a threat to the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine but also a violation of international law and human rights. The international community must come together to condemn these actions and take a firm stance against Russian aggression. It is time for the world to stand with Ukraine and support their fight for freedom and self-determination.
In conclusion, Putin’s latest move to restrict the freedoms of Ukrainian children is a clear violation of their rights and a blatant attempt to further his imperialistic agenda. The international community must take action to protect the rights and freedoms of Ukrainian children and support Ukraine in their fight against Russian aggression. It is time for the world to stand with Ukraine and say no to Putin’s oppressive policies.
