Members of the U.S. Helsinki Commission shifted the hearing to draw lessons for Ukraine from Dayton and to examine atrocity accountability. Several witnesses warned that a peace plan that cements territorial or ethnic carve‑outs risks “balkanizing” Ukraine.

Dr. Paul Williams told the Commission: “We need to be careful…that we don't, through whatever peace plan we pursue, balkanize Ukraine.” He and other witnesses said Russia’s invasion has intensified Ukrainian national identity and that peace planning should prioritize durable governance and justice rather than transactional settlements that embed divisions.

Ambassador Clint Williamson described his work with Ukraine’s prosecutor general and the scale of investigations: early tallies that recorded hundreds of alleged crimes grew into tens of thousands of cases over time. He told the Commission that the “systematic approach of kidnapping children, resettling them…is certainly a strong indicator of genocide.” Williamson and others also noted the International Criminal Court’s work and initial indictments as part of ongoing accountability efforts.

Commission members asked whether congressional votes or legislative declarations — for example classifying the forced transfer of children as genocide — would serve a useful purpose. Witnesses said such actions can provide moral clarity and reinforce accountability, but they also noted practical limits and legal thresholds that accompany formal designations.

The hearing emphasized documentation and prosecutorial work as the immediate priority: building criminal cases, supporting Ukraine’s investigative capacity, and coordinating with international courts. Witnesses urged that negotiators and policymakers keep accountability central to any settlement to reduce the risk of renewed conflict.

Ending note: The Commission heard strong testimony linking wartime practices in Ukraine to genocide indicators and recommended continued support for prosecutor‑led investigations and international accountability mechanisms rather than immediate treaty or status concessions that could entrench divisions.