Melania Trump sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin in August seeking his assistance.
WASHINGTON—First lady Melania Trump said eight children impacted by the fighting between Ukraine and Russia were reunited with their respective families on Oct. 9. She was speaking during an event held in the White House’s Grand Foyer on Oct. 10.
“A child’s soul knows no borders, no flags,” she said.
“We must foster a future for our children, which is reached with potential, security, and complete with free will, a world where dreams will be realized rather than threatened by war.”
Three of the children had been in Russia since they were separated from their parents near the frontlines of the fighting, the first lady said.
Among others rescued was a young Russian girl who was sent back to her family.
Efforts to see children reunited with their families accelerated after the first lady sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin in August seeking his assistance.
“As parents, it is our duty to nurture the next generation’s hope. As leaders, the responsibility to sustain our children extends beyond the comfort of a few,” she wrote in the letter.
“Undeniably, we must strive to paint a dignity-filled world for all—so that every soul may wake to peace, and so that the future itself is perfectly guarded.”
Putin responded personally, and the two developed an open dialogue and communicated regularly over the past months, she said.
“We have agreed to cooperate with each other for the benefit of all people involved in this war,” the first lady said.
Under Putin’s direction, Russian officials provided the first lady’s office with descriptive biographies, photographs, and records of medical, psychological, and social services offered for each of the children.
Delegations from both sides are negotiating the reunification of displaced Russian and Ukrainian children with their families.
“Russia has demonstrated a willingness to disclose objectives and detailed information reflective of the current situation,” the first lady said.
She described the importance of the mission and its long-lasting impact.
“My ongoing mission is twofold: to optimize a transparent free-flow exchange of health-related information surrounding all children who fell victim to this war, and to facilitate the regular reunification of children with their families until each individual returns home,” she said.
Also of concern, she noted, are those individuals who recently turned 18 but were displaced as children since fighting erupted in 2022.
“Additionally, I have raised concerns regarding those who were minors at the time they were displaced by the war, but have since reached adulthood and currently reside in Russia,” she said.
“I hope peace will come soon. It can begin with our children.”
An advocate for children’s rights and opportunities, the first lady recently launched her “Fostering the Future Together” campaign, a global initiative to offer science and technology scholarships for foster youth.
