Ukraine crisis: Lindsey Graham threatens Russia with terrorism label; demands return of kidnapped children

Senator Lindsey Graham, an ally of President Trump on Sunday said that he may push bipartisan legislation to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism if Moscow does not return Ukrainian children it has reportedly kidnapped.

Russia has been accused of abducting over 20,000 Ukrainian children during its war in Ukraine, with some reportedly placed for adoption in an effort to raise them as Russians. Some Ukrainian officials estimate the number could be closer to 35000, as reported by New York Post.

“I intend to push for the return of these children until I can’t push anymore,” Graham said on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures. He warned that if Russia does not return the children, the United States should label it a state sponsor of terrorism, a move he said would make Russia “radioactive.”

The kidnappings are viewed by Kyiv officials and human rights organizations as part of a broader Russian strategy to expand influence over Ukraine. In some cases, abducted children have reportedly been forced to fight against Ukrainian forces.

The White House has stressed that the mass abduction of Ukrainian children “remains a concern.” First Lady Melania Trump also delivered a letter to Putin urging peace and highlighting the impact of the war on children.

Graham said any peace agreement should include the return of the abducted children. “They should be a state sponsor of terrorism, Russia, until they return the children. So any peace deal must include the return of the kidnapped children by Russia to Ukraine,” Graham said.

Alongside Senator Richard Blumenthal, Graham has introduced a bipartisan sanctions bill targeting Russia. However, President Trump has indicated that he may act unilaterally with secondary tariffs and sanctions.

“The way to end this war is to make Russia believe that, if they don’t end it, we’re going to destroy their fossil fuel economy,” Graham said.

“I’m going to let him [Trump] determine that,” Graham said about the timing of when that sanctions bill might get passed. “I trust his judgment. I can’t think of a better person to be in the room with Putin than President Trump.”

Graham expressed cautious optimism about the prospect of ending the ongoing conflict. President Trump is scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Monday, alongside European leaders who support Ukraine.