First Lady provides updates on child reunification effort in Russia-Ukraine War 

Eight children were reunited with their families Thursday, after years of separation during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, First Lady Melania Trump said in an announcement Friday.

“Each child has lived in turmoil because of the war in Ukraine,” she said at the White House. “Three were separated from their parents and displaced to the Russian Federation because of frontline fighting. The other five were separated from family members across borders because of the conflict, including one young girl who has now been reunited from Ukraine to Russia.

The first lady said the reunions required “back-channel meetings and calls, all in good faith,” and Russia has “demonstrated a willingness to disclose objective and detailed information reflective for the current situation.”

“The Russian Federation provided biographies and photographs of each child involved in this week’s reunification, along with an overview of the social, medical and psychological services afforded to the Ukrainian children,” the first lady said. “Further, I was provided a detailed report, which verified the identities and circumstances of these eight individuals, and the U.S. government confirmed the facts contained within this document are accurate.” 

The initial report was a joint effort of both Russia and Ukraine, specifically by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets and the office of the Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova, she said. 

The efforts come after the first lady wrote to Russian President Vladimir Putin in August, expressing her concern for the children “who have fell victim to this war.” 

“In protecting the innocence of these children, you will do more than serve Russia alone – you serve humanity itself,” Trump wrote, as reported by Fox News. “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.” 

Putin’s response indicated a “willingness to engage” with the first lady and outlined “details regarding the Ukrainian children residing in Russia.” 

Trump said her “ongoing mission” is twofold: “to optimize a transparent, free-flow exchange” of health information regarding all children impacted by the war; and to reunite all children with their families until “each individual returns home.”  

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

She also said some children have “reached adulthood,” having turned 18 since their separation from their families during the war. Putin has agreed to return these individuals to their families “within a short period of time,” which requires “coordinated assistance” due to the “dangers of traversing this war-torn region,” she said. 

“This remains an ongoing effort,” the first lady concluded. “Plans are already underway to reunify more children in the immediate future. I hope peace will come soon. It can begin with our children.”