First Lady Melania Trump has disclosed ongoing behind-the-scenes efforts to facilitate the reunification of Ukrainian children with their families, revealing direct communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The initiative, which began after she sent a letter to Putin last August, involves coordinated discussions aimed at addressing the plight of children displaced by the conflict.
According to Trump, the talks have resulted in the immediate return of eight Ukrainian children to their families within the past 24 hours. She described the process as involving “back-channel meetings and calls” with Putin’s team, emphasizing that Russia provided documentation detailing the children’s care. The U.S. government reportedly verified the accuracy of these materials.
Trump highlighted her focus on ensuring “a transparent free flow exchange of health-related information” and enabling regular communication between children and their families. She also acknowledged ongoing plans to reunite more children in the near future.
Russia’s children’s rights commissioner, Maria Lvova-Belova, expressed gratitude for Trump’s efforts, calling them a “humanitarian gesture” for families affected by the conflict.
The First Lady’s remarks come amid longstanding disputes over the fate of Ukrainian children relocated from combat zones, with Kyiv accusing Russia of “kidnapping” during the war.
