Sens. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., are introducing a resolution today that calls on Russia to return abducted Ukrainian children before any agreement to end the war is finalized.
In a statement, Grassley blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for the “inhumane and unprovoked attack on Ukraine,” adding that Putin “kidnapped thousands of children to brainwash and Russify them in an attempt to destroy their cultural identity and heritage.”
“The United States ought to demand these children are returned before inking a deal to end the war in Ukraine,” Grassley said.
In April, 40 religious leaders sent a letter calling on Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to ensure the return of thousands of children who were forcibly transferred to Russia, Belarus and territories under Russian control.
The resolution was co-sponsored by Sens. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa; Dick Durbin, D-Ill.; Roger Wicker, R-Miss.; and John Fetterman, D-Pa. It is not clear when the resolution will get a vote on the Senate floor.
The group pushed in March to seek renewed commitment from the administration to support efforts to investigate the abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children. It is the first time have Republicans signed on to a resolution that includes stipulations for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked Pope Leo XIV last week for his help bringing the children home to Ukraine.
Trump, who had a two-hour call with Putin yesterday, said the two countries will start “negotiations” for a ceasefire even though Ukraine has already agreed to one.
At the Capitol today, Trump said “we’ll see” when he was asked whether he would impose new sanctions on Russia after the European Union and Britain went ahead with their own.
