A bipartisan resolution proposed on June 30 by U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) would condemn Russia’s abduction of Ukrainian children and would call for their return before finalizing any peace agreement to end the war against Ukraine.
“Russia’s mass-scale child abduction is nothing short of evil,” Rep. McCaul said. “The United States must demonstrate moral leadership by demanding every child be returned to his or her family in Ukraine before true peace can be achieved.”
The congressman sponsored House Resolution (H.Res.) 564 alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) to also “note with concern” that the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation has significantly increased the risks of children being exposed to human trafficking and exploitation, child labor, sexual violence, hunger, injury, trauma, deprivation of education and shelter, and death, according to the text of the resolution.
“Since the beginning of Putin’s war of aggression, Russia has abducted at least 19,500 Ukrainian children from their homeland — with some estimates putting the true number as high as 200,000,” said Rep. McCaul. “These children have been stripped of their national identity, adopted into Russian families, or indoctrinated as soldiers for the Kremlin. As a father, I can’t imagine the pain their families have experienced.”
U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) have introduced the identical resolution in the Senate, according to Rep. McCaul.
“Putin is a war criminal and, under his watch, the Russian military has cruelly abducted and illegally deported tens of thousands of Ukrainian children from their homeland,” Rep. Meeks added. “The United States has a responsibility to condemn these unconscionable acts by Russia and to demand the immediate return of each and every one of the children Russia has taken.”