Graham, Blumenthal, Britt and Klobuchar Introduce Legislation to Designate Russia A State Sponsor of Terrorism If They Don’t Return Kidnapped Ukrainian Children

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut), Katie Britt (R-Alabama) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) today introduced legislation that would designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism under U.S. law if they fail to return the more than 19,000 Ukrainian children that have been kidnapped during the course of the war.

Senators Graham and Blumenthal first proposed the need for legislation in May of this year following an official visit to Ukraine and meetings with European officials. Senator Klobuchar has introduced a resolution calling for the return of these children.

The goal of the Designating the Russian Federation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism Act is to exert maximum pressure on Russia in order to achieve peace and secure the safe return of these children.

"Today, we remember the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks. But 24 years later, I think our nation has forgotten a lesson we learned from 9/11, which is what happens overseas could matter to us. Ukraine estimates that Russia has kidnapped over 19,000 Ukrainian children. Russia is attempting to wipe the Ukrainian identity from these kids and in some cases, even training the teenagers to fight for Russia against Ukraine. The United States must be a moral leader and make it clear to the entire world that this is unacceptable. Our legislation gives Russia a choice. If they do not want to become a state sponsor of terrorism, then they should return the Ukrainian children. If not, Russia will reap the consequences of their actions and become even more economically toxic," said Senator Graham.

"Vladimir Putin believes that there is no Ukraine. What he is seeking to do by kidnapping these Ukrainian children is to erase Ukraine from the face of the earth. And what we're doing here is calling Russia what it is under Vladimir Putin's leadership: a state sponsor of terrorism. It will continue to be a state sponsor of terrorism until it returns those children. This bill brands Russia a member of an exclusive pariah club," said Senator Blumenthal.

"As a mom of two young children, I cannot imagine what it's like to have your child taken from you. This is an issue that must be elevated, and I believe the United States must lead in designating Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism if they do not return every single kidnapped Ukrainian child. It's clear that Putin will never do the right thing without being forced. Now is the time to make that happen and reunite parents with their precious children," said Senator Britt.

"We must continue to help Ukraine track these kidnapped Ukrainian children so we know who has been taken and, to the best of our ability, where they are so they can be quickly reunited with their families," said Senator Klobuchar. "We have made very clear that these kids must be returned before any negotiated end to the war, because we can't allow incentives for combatants in war to capture and kidnap kids."

Background on the Designating the Russian Federation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism Act:

• Ukraine estimates that Russia has kidnapped, deported or displaced at least 19,546 Ukrainian children since February 2022 and is continuing to practice these illegal and inhumane actions. The age of the children ranges from as young as a few months old to 17 years old.
• Putin's Russia seeks to destroy children's Ukrainian identity. According to the United Kingdom, Russia has subjected the children to a curriculum that glorifies Russian military action, promotes allegiance to Russia and in some cases, involves military training.
• Ukraine also estimates that at least 648 Ukrainian children have been killed and at least 2,047 Ukrainian children have been wounded since the start of the war in February 2022.
• These actions are blatant examples of international terrorism at the direction of Vladimir Putin.
• Sixty days after the passage of this bill, the legislation would require the Secretary of State to submit a report to Congress certifying that the kidnapped, deported or displaced children have been safely reunited with families or guardians and that their full reintegration into Ukrainian society is underway.
• If the Secretary of State is unable to certify, then the Secretary shall designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism under U.S. law.
• Currently, there are only four state sponsors of terrorism under U.S. law: Cuba, North Korea, Iran and Syria.

Click here to watch the Senators' press conference on the legislation

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