Toronto to host Canada–Ukraine–Norway conference on returning people held by Russia

Canada, Ukraine and Norway will co-host an international conference in Toronto on September 28 and 29 focused on Ukrainian children, detained civilians and prisoners of war held by Russia, Global Affairs Canada announced September 12.

The planned gathering will bring together foreign ministers, senior government representatives and international organizations. The announcement did not provide a complete participant list or venue.

What the talks will cover

• Tracing people, sharing information and coordinating return efforts.
• Humanitarian access, family contact and reliable information about people’s status and location.
• Rehabilitation and reintegration after a return, along with accountability under international law.

The conference is intended to build on the 2024 ministerial meeting that produced the Montreal Pledge. That pledge set out cooperation principles for returns and support for people affected by Russia’s war against Ukraine.

The Canadian government describes the cases at issue as unlawful deportations, forcible transfers and unlawful detentions. Those descriptions reflect the organizers’ stated position; the September 12 release announced a conference and did not report a new completed return agreement.

Sources: Global Affairs Canada announcement, September 12, 2026; Montreal Pledge joint communiqué, November 1, 2024.