Bill would name Russia terrorism sponsor for taking children

Late on Wednesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee advanced a bill brought by a bipartisan group of lawmakers threatening to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. The legislation demands that Russia return nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children forcibly abducted during the war or face economic and diplomatic consequences. Congressmen Brian Fitzpatrick and Bill Keating introduced a bill setting a 60-day deadline for the Secretary of State to ensure the abducted children are returned. Sens. Lindsey Graham, Richard Blumenthal, Katie Britt, and Amy Klobuchar introduced companion legislation on Sept. 11. 

If Russia doesn’t return the children, it would receive a designation that currently only four other countries carry: Cuba, North Korea, Iran, and Syria.

Ukrainian authorities estimate that at least 19,546 children have been forcibly taken into Russian custody since February 2022, Fitzpatrick said. He called Russia’s actions deliberate evil that was calculated and state-directed.

How does this bill put pressure on Russia? The bill is more than just symbolic, Fitzpatrick said; it carries real teeth. If Russia does not comply, the country would face severe economic, diplomatic, and strategic consequences. Fitzpatrick said the proposed bill would raise the cost of doing business with Moscow and send a clear message internationally.

Countries designated state sponsors of terrorism receive restrictions on U.S. foreign assistance, limits on defense and dual-use items exports, and various other financial restrictions, according to the U.S. Department of State.

Dig deeper: Read Elizabeth Russell’s report on U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.