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Melania Trump Says She’s in Direct Contact With Putin Over Return of Ukrainian Children
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![Photo of Liubava Petriv]( "Photo of Liubava Petriv")
US First Lady Melania Trump said she has established an open line of communication with Russian leader Vladimir Putin regarding the repatriation of Ukrainian children affected by the war, Reuters reported on October 10.
She confirmed that some children have already been returned to their families, with more reunifications expected.
“This remains an ongoing effort,” she told reporters at the White House on Friday.
She added that Putin had responded to her letter earlier this year and that they have remained in contact.
“Putin and I have had an open channel of communication about the welfare of these children,” she said. “For the past few months, both sides have participated in several back-channel meetings and calls.”
The communication between the US first lady and the Russian leader is unusual, Reuters noted, highlighting a rare diplomatic connection amid largely stalled US efforts to end the war Russia began with its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
US President Trump, who has historically emphasized his relationship with Putin, delivered a letter from his wife to the Russian leader at a summit in Alaska in August.
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Ukraine has described the abductions of tens of thousands of its children to Russia or Russian-occupied territory without consent from family members as a war crime, meeting the U.N. treaty definition of genocide.
The first lady said her representative is working directly with Putin’s team to ensure the safe return of children to their families in Ukraine. She reported that eight children had been reunited within the last 24 hours.
“Russia continues to cooperate with the United States in various areas, including humanitarian ones. We appreciate Melania Trump’s humanitarian leadership,” said Russia’s presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who has been involved in the discussions.
Earlier, it was reported that First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska and US First Lady Melania Trump discussed the protection of children during their meeting in New York.
