Faith Leaders Urge President Trump and Secretary Rubio to Prioritize Return of Ukrainian Children in Peace Negotiations

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(BALTIMORE, MD – April 4, 2025) – Today, a coalition of prominent faith leaders and advocates released a letter to President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio, urging them to ensure the safe return of nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children who have been forcibly transferred to Russia since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The letter calls on U.S. leadership to make the return of these children a precondition for any ceasefire or peace agreement.

The signatories—who represent a broad spectrum of Christian organizations—emphasized the moral, legal, and humanitarian urgency of returning the children, who have been subjected to political re-education, military training, and forced assimilation into Russian society. Many have been placed in Russian families, illegally adopted, and had their birth certificates altered to erase their Ukrainian identities. The Russian government has denied Ukrainian children access to their families, subjected them to physical abuse, and failed to provide them with adequate food and care. 

“Of all things vying for our attention in a world that seems increasingly violent, and at times chaotic and cruel, it is hard to think of what is more worthy of protection than our basic human dignity, our families, and our liberty. The bond between parents and children is baked into who we are. It is hard-wired into our systems and DNA. We all want to be respected as human. We all long to once again see family members when forces outside our control separate us.” said Travis Weber, Vice President for Policy & Government Affairs for Family Research Council. “And we all desire freedom in the core of our being. In recognition of these foundational principles of humanity – which traverse borders, national boundaries, and lines of armed conflict – it would behoove all parties to these current hostilities to recognize their common interest on this point, and see that these children are returned to their homeland and their families. Any of us would surely want the same if the shoe was on the other foot.”

Notable signatures include, the National Association of Evangelicals, the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, Family Research Council, Lifeline Children’s Services – the nation’s largest evangelical adoption agency, and other Christian organizations. 

“The forced deportation of Ukrainian children is not only a tragedy—it is a grave injustice and a violation of international law,” said Chelsea Sobolik, Director of Government Relations for World Relief. “Every child is made in God’s image and deserves the right to grow up in safety, dignity, and surrounded by their family and community. These children cannot and must not be used as bargaining chips in geopolitical negotiations.”

The letter praises President Trump for raising the issue of Ukraine’s missing children during his recent phone call with President Zelenskyy and urges both the President and Secretary Rubio to continue leading with moral clarity.

Faith leaders argue that international law prohibits the use of children as leverage in negotiations and call on U.S. officials to insist on the unconditional return of abducted children before any peace deal is finalized.