Melania Trump opens channel with Putin through letter and brings children back to Ukraine
Photo: First Lady of the United States Melania Trump (Getty Images)
First Lady Melania Trump received a response from Russian President Vladimir Putin to her letter regarding the return of abducted Ukrainian children. Since then, they have had an "open channel of communication", Melania Trump stated during an address at the White House.
The US First Lady said that Putin replied in writing to her letter, signaling a willingness to work directly, and provided details about Ukrainian children currently in Russia.
Melania Trump noted that since then, she has maintained an "open channel of communication" with the Russian leader regarding the welfare of these children. Over the past three months, both sides have held several meetings and negotiations.
Moscow provided photos and information about Ukrainian children who were returned to Ukraine in the past week, as well as details about the social, medical, and psychological services provided to Ukrainian children.
Melania Trump said that eight children have already been reunited with their families "over the past 24 hours". Three of them were separated from their families and moved to Russia due to fighting on the front lines. Five others were separated from family members across the border, including a little girl who was reunited with her family in Russia, she said.
Melania Trump assured that Russia has shown a willingness to provide objective and detailed information regarding the current situation of the deported children.
"This remains an ongoing effort. Plans are already underway to reunify more children in the immediate future. I hope peace will come soon. It can begin with our children," the US First Lady said, adding that her work on the fate of abducted Ukrainian children will be an important initiative for her.
She added that Russia has agreed to return home those children who have turned 18 after deportation, with plans to return the majority of the remaining children in the future.
Melania Trump's letter to Putin
In July, US First Lady Melania Trump delivered a letter to Russian leader Vladimir Putin through her husband, Donald Trump. The letter addressed the return of abducted Ukrainian children.
In the letter, Melania Trump wrote that in today's world, some children are forced to hide their quiet laughter despite the darkness surrounding them.
"Mr. Putin, you can singlehandedly restore their melodic laughter. In protecting the innocence of these children, you will do more than serve Russia alone—you serve humanity itself. Such a bold idea transcends all human division, and you, Mr. Putin, are fit to implement this vision with a stroke of the pen today. It is time," wrote Donald Trump's wife.
