Lawmakers in the state of Wisconsin have introduced a resolution condemning the forcible deportation of nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children to Russia. The initiative is also supported by the state’s Ukrainian community, which presented a virtual exhibition about the war in Ukraine at the Capitol. Wisconsin has become the first U.S. state to officially plan to denounce the abduction and forced deportation of Ukrainian children.
This was reported by by the Wisconsin Ukrainians Inc.
“Children should be playing soccer, going to school, so that their parents can put them to bed at night. Instead, they were taken. Kidnapped,” said Milwaukee Representative Chris Sinicki.
Senator Andre Jacques of New Franken, in turn, emphasized that these crimes have a deeper meaning:
“This is not just a kidnapping of children. This cultural erasure is a deliberate attempt to rewrite history and destroy a nation through its younger generation.”
The resolution was introduced on the day that US President Donald Trump had a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The next day, he was expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
In support of the initiative, a VR exhibition “The War Close Project” was opened in the state parliament building, which shows the destruction caused by the war in Ukraine using 360° photos, drone footage and 3D modeling.
One of the visitors, Ukrainian Maryna Oliynyk, who now lives in the United States, confessed:
“I miss my dad, who can’t leave the country. I miss my grandmother.”
Another Ukrainian, Olga Tsokalo, spoke about life during the war:
“It was terrible, because every night my family and I hid in a shelter. In the fall and winter, there was no electricity, sometimes there was no heat or water.”
Representatives of the Ukrainian community thanked all lawmakers who initiated the resolution and urged Wisconsin residents to contact their representatives to co-sponsor and support Resolution LRB-4639/LRB-4680.
“This is a powerful message that our state stands on the side of justice, truth, and the protection of innocent lives,” the community said in a statement.
Organizers emphasized that “The War Close Project” has become not only an artistic, but also an educational event that has helped Americans see the realities of war through the eyes of those who experienced it personally.
“Together, we raise our voices for those who are not heard,” said representatives of the Wisconsin community.
Photo: by the Wisconsin Ukrainians Inc.
Author: Danylo Pievchev