United States First Lady Melania Trump announced Friday that she had secured the release of Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia after establishing a “channel of communication” with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In a rare public statement at the White House, she reported diplomatic contacts with Putin, behind the scenes, following the summit held in August in Alaska with her husband Donald Trump.
Eight children displaced by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 have returned home in the past 24 hours, she said.
Melania Trump clarified that the dialogue was initiated following a letter she addressed to Vladimir Putin and delivered by her husband to the Russian president in Alaska during their meeting.
A lot has happened since the Russian president received my letter in August. He responded in writing showing his willingness to contact me directly and providing details about Ukrainian children living in Russia
she said.
Since then, President Putin and I have opened a channel of communication about the well-being of these children.
The Slovenian-born former model said both sides also had several meetings and informal calls, all in good faith
.
My representative worked directly with President Putin’s team to ensure the safe reunification of children with their families between Russia and Ukraine
she continued. In fact, eight children have been reunited with their families in the last 24 hours.
Arrest warrant
Seven of them returned to Ukraine from Russia, while one child returned to Russia from Ukraine.
Three had been separated from their parents and displaced to the Russian Federation by frontline fighting
explained Melania Trump. The others had been separated from their families in border areas.
Ukraine calls for the return of nearly 20,000 minors deported or forcibly displaced
in Russia since 2022, reason for which Vladimir Putin is the subject of an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC). kyiv has made this issue a diplomatic priority.
Russia says it has taken Ukrainian children out of their homes or orphanages to protect them from the fighting.
Melania Trump judged that Moscow had demonstrated his will
to share identifying information about abducted children, including biographies and photos.
She added that she would continue to work to ensure that more children could return home. This is an important initiative for me. It is based on a common objective and a lasting impact.
It’s a rare glimmer of hope in the war in Ukraine, which Trump pledged to resolve within 24 hours of taking office even as he now acknowledges it is the most difficult conflict he has attempted to resolve.
It is also a rare solo appearance by Melania Trump, who has remained discreet at the White House since her husband’s return to power in January, preferring to spend her time in New York or Florida.
