(The Epoch Times)—A bipartisan congressional effort to designate Russia a state sponsor of terrorism received a renewed push during a Dec. 3 Senate hearing on allegations that Moscow is kidnapping and brainwashing tens of thousands of Ukrainian children.
Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) first introduced legislation in 2022 to designate the Russian government as a “state sponsor of terrorism” months after it invaded Ukraine, and on the same day, Russian forces shot a missile on the Karachunivske reservoir, causing it to break and flood Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s home city, Kryvyi Rih.
In June 2024, Graham and Blumenthal introduced the bill again, accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of “barbaric behavior in Ukraine” and for “disruptive behavior throughout Africa and the world at large.”
Now, as the Trump administration continues negotiations with Moscow and Kyiv in efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, the push to pass that legislation received a boost during a Senate hearing on Wednesday, where lawmakers and witnesses accused Putin of ordering the kidnapping and brainwashing of tens of thousands of Ukrainian children.
“People in Ukraine and organizations are claiming that Putin’s Russia has separated over 19,000 Ukrainian children from their families, trying to turn them into Russians,” Graham said. “You cannot honorably end this conflict unless you account for every child taken by Putin’s Russia from Ukraine. Period.”
Russia has denied that it engages in the kidnappings. Graham said he invited the Russian ambassador to Wednesday’s hearing to “make a record as to whether or not this claim is legitimate,” but he didn’t show up.
In one report Blumenthal reviewed, Russian soldiers forcibly took a 16-year-old boy to an orphanage with “terrible sanitation” where he slept on “sagging metal beds, no bedding, just blankets.”
Another boy, 9, had lived with his mother until she was killed by a Russian missile strike. After burying her in their backyard, Russian forces put the boy in a hospital in Donetsk, where he “underwent surgery without anesthesia and was told by Russian doctors that he shouldn’t say Glory to Ukraine anymore.”
Nathaniel Raymond, a war crimes investigator serving as the executive director of the Humanitarian Research Lab at the Yale School of Public Health, said his three-and-a-half-year-long investigation alongside the State Department revealed that the “actual number” of Ukrainian children allegedly kidnapped by Russia is “closer to 35,000.”
The research lab’s investigation ended after the State Department “formally terminated” its grant in June, Raymond said.
Graham, a top Senate Republican, said Congress should review the terms of whatever deal the Trump administration is negotiating with Moscow so the legislative branch has a say on whether the deal is good or bad and if it offers security guarantees to Ukraine, “which there must be.”
“We’ll review those guarantees and see if we can find bipartisan support to make them continuing past the Trump administration,” Graham said, adding that the legislation he and Blumenthal co-sponsored would label Russia a terrorist state “because they’re acting like terrorists,” with child kidnappings and other alleged human rights abuses.
Returning Children Red Line for Ukraine
Olga Stefanishyna, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, said it is “non-negotiable” for the Ukrainian government that “all children who have been abducted are subjected to unconditional return,” or Kyiv will not agree to a deal with Moscow.
Last month, the Trump administration drafted a proposed 28-point plan to end the war.
The plan includes a non-aggression agreement, where Russia must cease invading its neighbors, an end to NATO expansion, and a provision where Ukraine would cede regions of Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk to Russia. Additionally, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia would be frozen along the line of contact, resulting in de facto recognition.
The plan, particularly the portions calling on Ukraine to cede territory, has garnered criticism from some U.S. lawmakers and world leaders, who describe it as more beneficial to Moscow’s interests than Kyiv’s. U.S. President Donald Trump has said the plan is still up for negotiation.
Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin in Moscow on Dec. 2, resulting in “constructive” talks, according to Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s top foreign policy aide.
The Kremlin said Putin had accepted some of the United States’ proposals to end the war, but “others were marked as unacceptable.”
European leaders showed their support to Zelenskyy on Monday ahead of Witkoff’s meeting with Putin, with French President Emmanuel Macron hosting a press conference with the Ukrainian president in Paris, where the two joined a call with roughly a dozen other leaders from the continent.
Only Ukraine can make the decision on its territories and peace deals with Russia, Macron told reporters.
Guy Birchall contributed to this report.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.