Russia will be asked to return Ukrainian children "as a confidence-building measure," - Waltz

Russia will be asked to return Ukrainian children "as a confidence-building measure," - Waltz

The U.S. National Security Advisor Michael Waltz believes that the U.S. may ask Russia to release illegally deported Ukrainian children "as part of confidence-building measures."

Waltz stated this in an interview with CBS News on Sunday.

The host asked Waltz why the State Department halted funding for the Yale University program that helps locate Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.

He responded that "Secretary Rubio is reviewing all these programs" and that he cannot comment on this particular program.

"But I can say that President Trump has spoken with both leaders about prisoner exchanges. Both the Russians and Ukrainians exchanged nearly 200 prisoners immediately following their discussions. And he has also discussed the future of these children. So, this is certainly, first and foremost, and to some extent, a confidence-building measure," he said.

When asked further whether the U.S. is asking for the return of Ukrainian children "as a confidence-building measure," Waltz replied: "We are talking about a range of confidence-building measures. This is one of them."