US senators demand return of kidnapped Ukrainian children before any peace deal

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has introduced a resolution calling for the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia before any peace agreement is signed. The initiative is led by (R-Iowa) Chuck Grassley and (D-Minn.) Amy Klobuchar.

The resolution condemns Russia’s kidnapping and forced deportation of Ukrainian children and highlights that the full-scale invasion increasingly exposes children to human trafficking, exploitation, child labor, sexual violence, hunger, injuries, trauma, and death.

“Putin’s inhumane and unprovoked attack on Ukraine started the largest war in Europe since World War II. He has kidnapped thousands of children to brainwash and Russify them in an attempt to destroy their cultural identity and heritage,” Grassley said.

As of May, Ukrainian authorities have identified 19,500 Ukrainian children who have been forcibly abducted by Russia since February 2022 when the all-out war started. These children have been taken to Russia or Russian-occupied territories without the consent of their families. 

Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin is wanted for war crimes based on these facts at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.

The senators emphasize that the U.S. must demand the return of these children before agreeing to any ceasefire or peace deal in Ukraine.

Among those who have joined the initiative are (R-Miss.) Roger Wicker, (R-Iowa) Joni Ernst, and (R-Fl.) Rick Scott, as well as (D–Ill.) Dick Durbin and (D-Penn.) John Fetterman.

According to Ukrainska Pravda, this is the first Senate resolution since Donald Trump’s return to power that has Republican support and directly addresses the negotiation process with Russia.

Ukraine’s presidential office expressed gratitude to the senators for their support.

“Kidnapping children is not just a war crime. It is an attempt to erase our identity and destroy the future of our nation. We will not allow this. The return of every child is our shared responsibility and a prerequisite for ending the war,” the statement said.