Returning kidnapped Ukrainian kids ‘confidence constructing measure,’ Waltz says amid peace talks

U.S. Nationwide Safety Adviser Mike Waltz sat down with CBS Information on March 23 to debate the upcoming U.S.-led negotiations in Saudi Arabia on ending the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

When requested concerning the objectives of the peace talks in Saudi Arabia, Waltz praised the efforts of the Trump administration, noting that there are "technical groups really with Ukrainians and Russians in the identical facility, conducting proximity talks."

Waltz stated that the matters of prisoner exchanges and Ukrainian kids illegally kidnapped by Russia will possible be mentioned on the peace talks, including that they are going to function a "confidence constructing measures" for negotiations.

"President Trump has spoken to each leaders about prisoner exchanges. Each the Russians and Ukrainians exchanged prisoners, practically 200, instantly following their name. And he's additionally talked about the way forward for these kids. In order that's definitely, initially, and, form of, confidence constructing measures," Waltz stated.

When requested to make clear whether or not the Trump staff will request "the discharge of those kids as a confidence constructing measure," Waltz confirmed that the measure is "considered one of them."

A minimum of 19,500 Ukrainian children have been confirmed as kidnapped by Russia for the reason that begin of its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and about 1,200 have been introduced dwelling, in accordance with the Ukrainian authorities's Kids of Struggle database.

Waltz additionally talked about the latest 30-day ceasefire on power infrastructure and a pending ceasefire within the Black Sea, that might permit "each side [to] transfer grain, gasoline, and begin conducting commerce once more."

Russia has repeatedly focused Black Sea transport routes for the reason that begin of the full-scale invasion. In July 2023, additionally they pulled out of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, additional threatening world meals safety.

The Worldwide Prison Courtroom (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Russian Presidential Commissioner for Kids's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova and Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 17, 2023, over the deportation of Ukrainian kids.

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