By Alex Raufoglu

Copyright kyivpost

WASHINGTON DC – The US Senate on Wednesday took a rare step to fast-track a bipartisan bill that would brand Russia a state sponsor of terrorism if it fails to return thousands of Ukrainian children abducted during the war. This move is part of a broader, bipartisan effort in the Capitol Hill to ramp up pressure on Moscow and hold the Kremlin accountable for its actions in Ukraine.

The bill, S. 2805, was introduced by Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Katie Britt (R-AL), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).

In a powerful and unusual move, the measure was quickly advanced to the Senate calendar after the second reading Tuesday night, bypassing the typical committee process. This rare legislative maneuver places the bill directly on the Calendar of Business, effectively fast-tracking its consideration and underscoring the urgency of the issue for the bill’s sponsors.

The legislation gives Russia a strict ultimatum: under the bill, the Secretary of State would be required to, within 60 days, certify to Congress whether the Ukrainian children who were kidnapped, deported, or forcibly removed from Ukrainian territory have been reunited with their families or guardians.

If the Secretary of State is unable to provide that certification, Russia would be designated a state sponsor of terrorism under US law.

Lawmakers argue for accountability

Senator Graham last week linked the measure to a key lesson from the 9/11 attacks, stating, “I think our nation has forgotten a lesson we learned from 9/11, which is what happens overseas could matter to us.”

He said the bill provides a clear choice for Russia: “If they do not want to become a state sponsor of terrorism, then they should return the Ukrainian children.”

Senator Blumenthal, speaking of the abductions, said, “What [Putin] is seeking to do by kidnapping these Ukrainian children is to erase Ukraine from the face of the earth.”

Senator Klobuchar said the return of the children must be a prerequisite for any negotiated end to the war. “We can’t allow incentives for combatants in war to capture and kidnap kids,” she said.

A designation as a state sponsor of terrorism is one of the most powerful diplomatic tools available to the US and would trigger a series of severe penalties, including a ban on US foreign assistance, restrictions on defense exports, and financial sanctions.

Only four countries—Cuba, North Korea, Iran, and Syria—are currently on the list.

Kennedy’s separate push to seize Russian assets

Separately on Wednesday, another initiative was announced by Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) and a bipartisan group of colleagues.

Kennedy introduced legislation to seize over $300 billion in frozen Russian assets and use the funds to aid Ukraine.

In a powerful Senate floor address, Kennedy argued that simply freezing the assets is not enough, as Russia continues its aggression.

He framed the bill as a way to level the playing field for Ukraine without using a single American taxpayer dollar.

The money, he said, would allow Ukraine to acquire the weapons needed to target key Russian infrastructure and military sites, thus striking at the heart of Putin’s war machine.

Kennedy characterized the conflict as a global fight for freedom, not just a regional issue. He warned of an emerging alliance between Russia, China, and Iran, whose shared goal, he believes, is to dismantle the current world order.

He urged his colleagues to pass the bill, warning that inaction would empower these authoritarian regimes and create a world that is “not safe for freedom.”

Overcoming opposition

The bill is part of a growing push in Congress to escalate pressure on Russia, though it faces some opposition.

While acknowledging that some European allies have legal concerns about seizing the assets, Kennedy dismissed these arguments, noting Russia’s blatant disregard for international law.

He concluded his speech with a direct challenge to any who would oppose the bill, urging them to “stand up in front of God and country and say so.”

He expressed confidence that with this influx of capital from Russia’s own coffers, Ukraine could “get Mr. Putin’s attention” and force a serious negotiation.