Why Melania Trump’s personal letter to Putin is making waves in Ukraine talks

The unusual diplomatic gesture came as both leaders discussed the war in Ukraine, where the issue of kidnapped children has drawn global condemnation.

US President Donald Trump handed Russian President Vladimir Putin a letter from First Lady Melania Trump during their meeting in Alaska on Friday, according to Reuters.

The unusual diplomatic gesture came as both leaders discussed the war in Ukraine, where the issue of kidnapped children has drawn global condemnation. Two White House sources told Reuters that Melania’s letter highlighted the suffering of thousands of Ukrainian children allegedly taken by Russian authorities since Moscow’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

Ukraine accuses Russia of mass abductions

Kyiv estimates that more than 20,000 children have been taken from Ukraine, calling the practice genocide under UN conventions. Ukrainian officials say children were forcibly moved to Russia or Russian-controlled territories, often without parental consent.

The US State Department has also said it received “credible reports” that some Ukrainian infants were advertised for adoption on Russian websites, calling the practice “despicable and appalling.”

Meanwhile, The Sun reported that abducted children were forced to sing the Russian national anthem and forbidden from speaking their native language.

Moscow defends the transfers as ‘humanitarian’

Russia has rejected the accusations, saying the children were evacuated from war zones for their own safety. Putin’s government dismissed the International Criminal Court’s 2023 arrest warrant, which accused him of orchestrating the deportations, as “outrageous and unacceptable.”

Despite that, human rights groups and international observers continue to argue that the mass transfers amount to cultural erasure and war crimes.

Trump: ‘Many points agreed, but no ceasefire’

At the joint press conference, Trump described the meeting as “very productive” and said many issues were agreed upon, though a ceasefire in Ukraine remained elusive. He confirmed that the First Lady’s letter underscored concern about the plight of Ukrainian children.

Trump also recalled how Melania had pressed him about Russia’s ongoing airstrikes: “I go home, I tell the First Lady, ‘You know, I spoke to Vladimir today. We had a wonderful conversation.’ And she said, ‘Oh really? Another city was just hit.’”

Russian media lashes out at Melania

Melania Trump’s involvement has sparked a backlash in Moscow. Pro-Kremlin commentators have attacked her in recent weeks, with one prominent TV host branding her a “Ukrainian agent.”

The criticism underscores how sensitive the issue of abducted children has become inside Russia, even as Putin tries to project progress in talks with Trump.