This House resolution urges that all Ukrainian children who were unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred to the Russian Federation, the Republic of Belarus, or Russian-occupied Ukrainian territory be returned before any final peace agreement ends the war. The resolution condemns those actions and cites at least 19,546 confirmed reports of unlawful deportations and forced transfers as of April 16, 2025, and notes 1,274 children returned so far. It says Russia has changed adoption laws and declared some children in occupied areas to be Russian citizens, references the U.S. Department of State 2024 Trafficking in Persons Report, notes U.S. sanctions on 32 individuals and three entities, and records an admission by Maria Lvova-Belova. The resolution also cites possible breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention (Article 147) and the Genocide Convention (Article II(e)). It supports bringing the war to a peaceful and just end but urges return of abducted children prior to finalizing any peace agreement.
If the House adopts this resolution, it would be an official statement of the House of Representatives calling for the return of abducted Ukrainian children before a final peace deal. The text stresses harm and risks to children and supports a just peace. No publicly available information on any direct legal changes or specific actions required beyond the statement.
No publicly available information on costs. The resolution text does not include funding or spending provisions.
Supporters say Russia has abducted and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children, changed laws to facilitate adoption and citizenship for those children, and is attempting to erase Ukrainian identity. The resolution highlights child-trafficking and child-soldier concerns from the Department of State report, sanctions already imposed on persons and entities, and legal violations under the Geneva and Genocide Conventions. Proponents argue returns should happen before any peace agreement.
No publicly available information on opponents' views in the provided material.