First lady Melania Trump announced Friday that she is in contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin about children who are impacted by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
In an address from the White House, Melania Trump shared that “much has unfolded” since she addressed Putin in a letter about the well-being of children who were missing or forcibly displaced by Russian forces. President Donald Trump delivered his wife’s letter to Putin during an August summit in Alaska.
“He responded in writing, signaling a willingness to engage with me directly, and outlining details regarding the Ukrainian children residing in Russia,” the first lady said. “And since then, President Putin and I have had an open channel of communication regarding the welfare of these children.”
In her letter, Melania Trump urged Putin that it is “time” to consider the children. According to the Ukrainian government, nearly 20,000 children have been deported or forcibly displaced by Russian forces since the start of the war in 2022. A fraction of them have been returned.
The Yale Humanitarian Research Lab said more than 8,400 Ukrainian children were “systematically relocated” to Belarus and Russia for a “re-education” process that is described as disconnecting them from their Ukrainian roots through adoption.
Melania Trump shared that for months, “both sides have participated in several back channel meetings and calls, all in good faith.” She said that she and Putin had agreed to cooperate for the benefit of all involved in the war.
“My representative has been working directly with President Putin’s team to ensure the safe reunification of children with their families between Russia and Ukraine,” she said. “In fact, eight children have been rejoined with their families during the past 24 hours.”
The first lady also said Russia has agreed to return individuals who have turned 18 since the start of the war to their families.
“This remains an ongoing effort. Plans are already underway to reunify more children in the immediate future,” she said. “I hope peace will come soon. It can begin with our children.”
Melania Trump’s letter to Putin was a rare act by an American official directed to the leader of Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and first lady Olena Zelenska expressed their gratitude.