Russia is responsible for the largest “systematic child abduction operation” since World War II, according to European Union Ambassador to the U.S. Jovita Neliupšienė.

“This is actually a civilization erasure, when you actually try to destroy the future of your neighboring country,” Neliupšienė says.

It is estimated that more than 20,000 children have been abducted from Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion four years ago, according to the ambassador. Some of the older children who were taken are now being trained to fight for the Russian army, she explains on this week’s edition of “Problematic Women.”

“They will try to start to train them as little soldiers, in a way, to go through the brainwashing,” she said.

First Lady Melania Trump has become an outspoken advocate for Ukraine's children and has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to return the abducted minors.

Neliupšienė joins the show to share the stories of Ukrainian children who have been abducted, and some who have been returned. She also explain why Russia is targeting a generation of young people.

Also on today’s show, the ambassador addresses U.S. concerns that Europe is losing its culture amid a growing migrant population that struggles to, or chooses not to, assimilate into Western culture.

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Why Is Russia Taking Ukraine’s Children? | Jovita Neliupšienė