Today in Strasbourg, during a debate on the issue of the deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia, Jadwiga Wiśniewska spoke. The PiS MEP called for the imposition of effective and severe sanctions against Russia, which continues to commit war crimes. Former Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski also addressed the debate.
“Today we are reflecting on the tragedy of thousands of Ukrainian children who have been brutally torn from their families and taken deep into Russia,” said Wiśniewska, pointing out that these actions are systematic in nature and carried out on a large scale. “Russia is deliberately severing all ties these children have with their homeland. They are being taught lies about Russian aggression against Ukraine, they are being put up for illegal adoption, their personal records are being destroyed, and their Ukrainian identity is being erased,” – the MEP stated, emphasizing that these forced resettlements constitute a war crime bearing the hallmarks of genocide. “This is one of the most cynical crimes of Putin’s regime. This dramatic situation cannot go unanswered,” she noted. As she pointed out, the International Criminal Court has indeed issued arrest warrants for President Putin and the Russian Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, among others, for their role in this crime. “But Putin’s regime as a whole must be held accountable for these crimes. And that is why we should also impose an embargo on food from Russia, so that trade relations are not exploited to legitimize such crimes. We must act together to end this nightmare and ensure the protection of Ukrainian children,” Wiśniewska urged, emphasizing that this shameful attack must be condemned by the international community. “And I hope that severe and effective sanctions will be imposed on Russia. Beyond emotions and enthusiasm, we need concrete action,” she added.
Former Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski also commented on the debate: “According to information from the Ukrainian government, nearly 20,000 children have been abducted and taken deep into Russia over the past two years. Only 388 of them have returned safely to their families. These children are being subjected to re-education and Russification, in keeping with the long-standing traditions of the Tsarist and Stalinist eras.
The unimaginable tragedies of thousands of Ukrainian families should make everyone in the West realize several undeniable facts:
First, if the civilized world grows weary of the war in Ukraine and allows Putin to win, our children and our families will not be able to feel safe.
Second, Putin’s empire is sick not only with hatred but also in the literal sense. Russia’s population has been gradually declining for over 25 years, since Putin took power. It is estimated that one in every hundred Russians is HIV-positive. Alcohol and drug addiction are taking a deadly toll. Russian society is aging at an alarming rate, and the life expectancy of the average Russian lags far behind the European average. Here, too, one must look for the roots of Putin’s criminal policy, aimed at preventing the collapse of a decaying empire through conquest.
Third, negotiations that sanction Russia’s territorial gains will not ensure lasting peace. Putin will not abandon further conquests, partly for demographic reasons. Russia must be defeated, not persuaded.”
