The Head of the Presidential Office, Andriy Yermak, announced on his Telegram channel that the relevant bipartisan resolution had been adopted.
The resolution specifically states:
- Under putin’s leadership, the russian authorities are responsible for illegally abducting children from Ukraine. The strongest possible condemnation is official for such actions.
- Facilitating illegal adoption contradicts russia’s obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime. This is because it can be considered a form of genocide.
- The russian authorities are attempting to harm a generation of Ukrainian children, which would ultimately weaken Ukraine’s capacity to raise the next generation of citizens.
- russia’s invasion of Ukraine has increased the risk of children being trafficked, exploited, forced into labor, subjected to gender-based violence, suffering from hunger, and physical injury, and being deprived of housing and education.
To pass final approval in Congress, the Senate must hold a similar vote. Democratic Congresswoman Susan Wilde, co-author of the resolution, hopes they will reaffirm their unwavering support for democracy and humanity.
She assured me that she will continue to work with her colleagues and the Ukrainian-American community to bring this resolution to a full vote.