The Raymonda laboratory collects information from open sources, analyzes satellite photos and Russian databases on adoption. His meticulous work was of key importance to the disclosure of the systematic program of forced adoption and re -education conducted by Russia.
In an interview with Kyiv Post Raymond expressed serious fears about the upcoming peak. – If there is an agreement that does not cover the full return of Ukrainian children as a preliminary condition, it will mean that The United States will basically be co -responsible for challenging the special protective status of childrenguaranteed in the Geneva Convention for almost 80 years – he noted.
Raymond warned that such a result would create a dangerous precedent on a global scale. “Children can be treated as prisoners of war or spies,” he explained. – If the children become a tender card, it will encourage them to take them as hostages in future wars. This would effectively normalize the practice that violates the basic principles of international humanitarian law.
Earlier studies of the Yale laboratory revealed at least 19 546 documented cases of deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. The Raymonda team meticulously tracked down thousands of missing children and informed that they were following fate About 35,000 children who are potentially in Russia and occupied territoriesin over 100 locations, including in re -education camps, foster families and adoption centers from the Black Sea to the Pacific Coast in Magania.
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These children are often subjected to “Russification”, which includes placing them in an unknown and hostile environment, erasing their Ukrainian cultural identity by changing names and giving Russian citizenship, and in some disturbing cases undergoing their military training and anti -Ukrainian indoctrination.
So far, only a small part, about 1347 children, has returned to Ukraine. According to Raymond's estimates, bringing all children back would take half a century.
White house cuts funds
Despite the previous impression that the US President “cares for children”, Raymond sees no significant political activities or coordination in the White House on this key issue.
– They suspended $ 8 million to us and the Department of State. (over PLN 29 million) that would help us and others continue our actions – reminded Raymond. This reduction of funds was a serious blow that hindered the laboratory to continue important work, including access to satellite photos and maintaining a huge data archive.
“Staff that could conduct diplomatic, intelligence or control activities related to this issue were completely liquidated,” he added, citing the fact that FBI, ICE and DHS staff are no longer delegated to support Ukrainian activities.
Demonstration for Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia, Brussels, Belgium, February 24, 2023.Thierry Monasse / Getty Images / Getty Images
This clear lack of direct support from administration is a clear contrast in relation to universal support for children in the Senate and the House of Representatives. Republican senators, such as Chuck Grassley, Roger Wicker, Joni Ernst and others, They demanded that the resolutions demanding the return of children as a successful end of peace conversationsalthough according to reports, these efforts lost impetus.
Raymond noticed that although there is a wide range of both parties in Congress for the case of children, “the only person in the Republican party who showed no real commitment to children is the president himself.”
Key registration of children through the Red Cross
Asked what would suggest to President Trump before Friday's conversations, Raymond presented a direct and implemented proposal. She is focusing on a specific, achievable humanitarian stepwhich would strengthen international standards and not undermine them.
“You should convince Vladimir Putin to agree to register children through the Red Cross as an external, independent institution verifying the number of children and their place of stay,” Raymond pointed out.
He emphasized that this is one action “would actually contribute to peace” and “would strengthen multilateral institutions that the United States helped to create and develop, especially after World War II.”
According to Raymond, if Trump, “Master of negotiations”, really wants to achieve something, he should conduct hard negotiations. “We will not return to the negotiating table until you give us all the names of children and give them to the red cross,” he said, emphasizing the urgent character and the ability to verify this request.
Raymond admitted, however, that there is a risk that this key step will not be taken. – There is a risk that children will be used as tokens in a dangerous card game He summed up.
The fate of thousands of kidnapped Ukrainian children hangs on the Italian, and the world anxiously awaits the upcoming peak, hoping for a breakthrough that will submit humanity over political games.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
