**US Senators Unite to Demand Return of Abducted Ukrainian Children**
In a rare display of bipartisan unity, a group of six US senators has introduced a resolution calling for the return of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. The effort, led by Republicans Charles E. Grassley, Roger Wicker, Joni Ernst, and Rick Scott, along with Democrats Amy Klobuchar and John Fetterman, condemns Russia’s systematic abduction, forced transfer, and illegal deportation of Ukrainian minors.
**A Crime Against Humanity**
The resolution describes the abduction of children as a “violation of international humanitarian law” and the Genocide Convention. Citing Article 147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention and Article II(e) of the Genocide Convention, it prohibits the forcible transfer of children from one group to another. The document also highlights that Russia’s actions demonstrate its intent to erase Ukrainian identity.
**A Grim Reality**
According to Ukrainian authorities, over 19,500 children have been confirmed as unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred to Russia, Belarus, or areas under Russian occupation. Only 1,274 have been returned so far. This tragedy has exposed these children to multiple threats, including human trafficking and exploitation, child labor, sexual violence, hunger, injury, trauma, deprivation of education and shelter, and death.
**International Backlash**
The resolution frames the abduction of children as a crime against humanity, echoing international outrage over Russia’s actions. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Putin and Russian Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova for their roles in the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children. The United States has also sanctioned at least 32 individuals and three Russian entities for their involvement in these abductions and related human rights violations.
**A Call to Action**
The bipartisan resolution sends a clear message that both Republican and Democratic lawmakers are united in condemning Russia’s actions and demanding the immediate return of Ukraine’s children. As Ambassador John Herbst, senior director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center, emphasized, “Ukraine’s kidnapped kids are counting on Congress and President Trump to insist that Moscow free them.”
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