KIEV — Lying in rows of cots in a small hotel on the outskirts of Kiev, 51 babies born to surrogate mothers are stranded in Ukraine as the coronavirus lockdown is preventing parents from the United States, Europe and elsewhere from collecting them.
Ukraine imposed a ban on foreigners entering in March, and most parents have only seen their newborns through pictures and video calls with the clinic.
1:41Firefighters battle wildfire in Ukraine’s Chernobyl Exclusion Zone
Firefighters battle wildfire in Ukraine’s Chernobyl Exclusion Zone
Rafa Aires from Spain managed to get in before the lockdown. He was united with his daughter Marta but cannot leave as Kiev has suspended almost all flights and he needs to finish the paperwork.
It means a stressful wait for his wife Maria, who was unable to travel with him due to work.
“Every day I make video calls with my wife for one hour or an hour and a half for her to see the baby,” he said. “It is very difficult.”
Story continues below advertisement
“Nurses and medical personnel in this hotel are wonderful.
Stay connected with local news
Make us your
home page
