Melania Trump says 8 Ukrainian children reunited with families after direct talks with Russia's Putin

First lady of the US Melania Trump

First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump, announced Friday that eight Ukrainian children have been reunited with their families following months of dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, she said that she has maintained direct communication with President Putin regarding the welfare of Ukrainian children taken to Russia during the ongoing war.

“A child's soul knows no border, no flags,” the First Lady said. “Much has unfolded since President Putin received my letter last August. He responded in writing, signalling a willingness to engage with me directly and outlining details regarding the Ukrainian children residing in Russia. Since then, President Putin and I have had an open channel of communication regarding the welfare of these children.”

Melania Trump said that “for the past 3 months, both sides have participated in several back-channel meetings and calls, all in good faith.”

She added that “we have agreed to cooperate with each other for the benefit of all people involved in this war.”

According to her, “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. Eight children have been rejoined with their families during the past 24 hours.”

The First Lady’s engagement began in August, when she wrote a letter to President Putin and had it hand-delivered by her husband, President Donald Trump, during his meeting with the Russian leader in Alaska.

Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has led to thousands of Ukrainian children being taken from their country, with Russia claiming they are being raised as Russian citizens.

In 2022, the Associated Press documented the removal of Ukrainian children to Russia, leading the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue an arrest warrant for President Putin, accusing him of war crimes and personal responsibility for the abductions.

Melania Trump’s announcement marks the first public acknowledgment of cooperation between U.S. and Russian representatives regarding the issue of displaced Ukrainian children.

“We have agreed to cooperate with each other for the benefit of all people involved in this war,” she reiterated.