During a Dec. 3 hearing, the Senate Appropriations subcommittee led by Sen. Lindsey Graham examined reports of Ukrainian children taken to Russia. The Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs plans to hear from several witnesses. Participants include Ukrainian Ambassador Olha Stefanishyna, Mykola Kuleba of Save Ukraine, and Maksym Maksymov of Bring Kids Back.
Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of kidnapping children since the start of the war, with transfers conducted under various pretexts. Kuleba testified that Ukraine identified over 13,000 children taken during the invasion, with Russian authorities encouraging adoptions through financial incentives, including one-time payments and annual support.
First lady Melania Trump wrote to Putin about the treatment of children, citing Ukrainian government tracking data, urging him to consider the situation of over 19,000 children taken to Russia. She mentioned that protecting them would serve humanity itself.
Sen. Graham stated that any peace deal must include returning kidnapped children, emphasizing the issue in any negotiated settlement.
Ukraine’s Ambassador Testifies on Child Abduction Claims as Senate Committee Reviews Reports
