US Senators Introduce Resolution Demanding Return of 20,000 Abducted Ukrainian Children

A bipartisan group of U.S. senators, led by Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), introduced a resolution demanding the return of nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children abducted by Russia before any peace agreement is finalized to end the war in Ukraine. The resolution condemns Russia’s systematic abduction, forced transfer, and so-called Russification of Ukrainian children, framing these acts as violations of international humanitarian law and the Genocide Convention. Ukrainian authorities have documented at least 19,546 confirmed cases of unlawful deportations of children to Russia, Belarus, or Russian-occupied territories, with only about 1,274 returned so far. The senators emphasize that these children face severe risks, including human trafficking, exploitation, child labor, sexual violence, hunger, trauma, and death, and highlight Russia’s use of abducted children for indoctrination and military purposes. The resolution has broad bipartisan support and is backed by various humanitarian organizations, underscoring the urgent need for the children’s unconditional return as a precondition for any peace deal. U.S. officials and Ukrainian leaders have stressed that the abduction of children is not only a war crime but also an attempt to erase Ukrainian identity and heritage.