MOSCOW

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Friday condemned a bill passed by the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee that targets Russia over the children dispute between Russia and Ukraine.

Zakharova labeled the bill, drafted to "declare Russia a state sponsor of terrorism because of their kidnapping of Ukrainian children," as "an attempt to undermine the established dialogue between Russia and the US."

"We regard this legislative initiative as an attempt to undermine the established dialogue between Russia and the US, including discussions concerning the reunification of children who lost contact with their families for various reasons amidst the conflict in Ukraine," she said.

The spokeswoman emphasized that Russian Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova has established "a clear and transparent process for family reunification."

"To date, 122 children from 98 families have been reunited with their parents or blood relatives living either in Ukraine or third countries. From Ukraine, 29 children representing 21 families returned to Russia," she said.

Zakharova noted that verification of these reunifications is handled by International Committee of the Red Cross staff, who accompany the children during handover to parents and relatives. Qatar and the Vatican also provide mediation assistance, she added.

The official further pointed out that the US first lady, Melania Trump, recently joined this effort, confirming Russia’s readiness to provide objective and detailed information about the children.

"Thanks to cooperation between the Russian and American sides, seven minors were reunited with their loved ones in Ukraine on October 11, and one girl returned from Ukraine to her close relatives in Russia," she said.

Zakharova stressed that direct communication with the American side would not only aid family reunifications but also convey accurate information to the international community regarding the actual situation.

"Fabricated tales about '20,000 abducted Ukrainian minors,' as well as various 'coalitions for returning children' and hostile resolutions against Russia, bear no relation to truth or concern for children's interests," she stressed.

Zakharova described media reports accusing Russia of stealing Ukrainian children as "another set of fake stories" and "heart-wrenching narratives and sensational headlines in Western media, but neither names of alleged victims nor lists of so-called stolen children will ever surface."