Bulwark Takes: Putin Stole Ukrainian Children. Trump Is Helping Him Get Away With It
Release Date: March 19, 2025
Host: Tim Miller, The Bulwark
Guest: Congressman Greg Landsman, Ohio's 1st District
Introduction
In this compelling episode of Bulwark Takes, host Tim Miller engages in a critical conversation with Congressman Greg Landsman from Ohio's 1st District. The discussion centers on the harrowing issue of Ukrainian children being abducted by Russian forces under President Vladimir Putin's regime and the alleged interference by former President Donald Trump that may be hindering efforts to address this crisis.
The Abduction of Ukrainian Children
Tim Miller opens the dialogue by addressing the shocking revelation of Ukrainian children being forcibly removed from their homes:
Tim Miller [00:00]: "We're here to talk about something really serious and depressing, which is the abduction of Ukrainian children."
Congressman Greg Landsman provides detailed insights into the scale and mechanics of this abduction:
Greg Landsman [01:24]: "There are at least 30,000 children that were stolen from Ukraine. Putin and others stole these children and have taken them to various places in Belarus or Russia."
He emphasizes the importance of data in negotiating the return of these children, stating that having comprehensive records increases the likelihood of reunification with their families.
Data Collection and Its Disappearance
The conversation delves into a U.S.-funded initiative aimed at documenting Russian war atrocities, including the mass deportation of Ukrainian children. This project, managed by Yale University's Humanitarian Research Lab, was abruptly terminated by Peter Morag from the Department of State, leading to the potential loss of crucial data.
Tim Miller [00:17]: "We had a US funded initiative that documented alleged Russian war crimes, including this mass deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia... that project was terminated by Peter Morag."
Landsman articulates the gravity of this development:
Greg Landsman [02:00]: "We discovered that the system that was tracking all of this on behalf of Ukraine was no longer publicly available... The White House has said that it does exist. We don't have confirmation of that."
The disappearance of this data poses a significant barrier to negotiating the return of the abducted children, as the information is pivotal in substantiating claims and facilitating diplomatic discussions.
Political Implications and Partisan Responses
The episode explores the political ramifications of the data's disappearance, particularly the role of the Trump administration. Landsman criticizes the current relationship between President Trump and Vladimir Putin, suggesting it may be detrimental to both Ukrainian interests and U.S. national security.
Greg Landsman [07:36]: "I continue to be very worried that this president does not have an appropriate relationship with Vladimir Putin."
Furthermore, the discussion touches upon the lack of response from certain Republican figures regarding the Ukrainian child trafficking issue. Landsman expresses uncertainty about whether Republicans like Marjorie Taylor Greene or Lauren Boebert have addressed the situation, highlighting a potential bipartisan oversight in responding to this humanitarian crisis.
Democratic Strategy and Call to Action
Shifting focus, Landsman draws parallels between the current political climate and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. He advocates for strategic, peaceful activism akin to the marches led by Martin Luther King Jr., emphasizing the need for a unified and powerful Democratic response.
Greg Landsman [09:33]: "I was in Selma last weekend and for the first time ever, walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge... We need that kind of heroics and those kinds of leaders."
He also calls for the Democratic Party to formulate a comprehensive agenda, reminiscent of the Contract for America developed by Republicans in 1994. This strategy aims to provide clear goals and unified support among party members to effectively address both domestic and international issues.
Broader Domestic Concerns: Corruption and Influence
The discussion broadens to encompass domestic issues such as government corruption and the undue influence of wealthy donors. Landsman criticizes figures like Elon Musk for their significant financial contributions to Republican campaigns, suggesting that this influx of money leads to policy decisions that may harm the economy and societal well-being.
Greg Landsman [12:17]: "He's one of the biggest, if not the largest donor donors that gives to Republicans and Trump, and that's why he's doing what he's doing... This is blatant corruption."
He underscores the public's desire for cleaner governance, highlighting that many Americans, including Republicans, are dissatisfied with the current state of political corruption.
Conclusion
The episode concludes with Landsman reiterating the urgency and moral imperative to recover the abducted Ukrainian children and to address the broader issues of corruption and political dysfunction in the United States. Tim Miller affirms the importance of this dialogue, signaling a commitment to ongoing coverage and advocacy.
Greg Landsman [13:30]: "I'll release in the next couple weeks... a vision for where I think we have to go as a party."
This episode of Bulwark Takes serves as a crucial exposé on the intersection of international human rights violations and domestic political challenges, urging listeners to recognize and act upon the multifaceted threats facing both Ukraine and the United States.