U.S. First Lady Melania Trump on Friday said she had established a direct line of communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin to help repatriate children affected by the war in Ukraine, adding that several have already been reunited with their families and more are expected to follow soon.
“This remains an ongoing effort,” she told reporters at the White House, noting that Putin had replied to a letter she sent earlier this year and that they have remained in contact since.
“President Putin and I have had an open channel of communication about the welfare of these children,” the first lady said. “For the past few months, both sides have participated in several back-channel meetings and calls.”
Melania Trump explained that her envoy has been working closely with Putin’s team to ensure the safe reunification of children separated from their families amid the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. She confirmed that eight children had been returned to their families in the past 24 hours.
