Parents meet surrogate babies stranded in Ukraine

Over 100 couples from around the world had asked Ukrainian ombudswoman Lyudmila Denisova to facilitate their entry into the country despite the restrictions. The country has a thriving surrogate-motherhood industry as it is one of the few countries which allow the service for foreigners.

Kyiv: A group of parents from around the world finally had a chance to cuddle their babies born to surrogate mothers in Ukraine on Wednesday.

Scores of surrogate babies had been left stranded from their intended parents after Ukraine closed its borders because of the virus pandemic.

More than 100 couples asked Ukrainian ombudswoman Lyudmila Denisova to facilitate their entry into the country despite the restrictions.

Denisova said 31 of the families had already arrived in Ukraine to collect their infants.

The new parents had to spend two weeks in quarantine before they were allowed to meet the babies.

Andrea Diez from Argentina said it was "unbelievable" to meet her new baby.

Ukraine has a thriving surrogate-motherhood industry as it is one of the few countries which allow the service for foreigners.

About 50 clinics that offer surrogate births are operating in Ukraine.

AP