Melania Trump Announces Russia Will Return Ukrainian Children 18 and Older

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According to Bloomberg’s live updates on the Trump-Zelenskiy meeting, the initiative comes amid renewed peace talks and discussions over a potential ceasefire at current battle lines.

Fifteenth Day of the Federal Shutdown – USA Herald

Melania Trump has Direct Diplomacy with Putin and Ukraine

The first lady disclosed that she personally appealed to President Vladimir Putin in an August letter, which President Donald Trump hand-delivered during their summit in Alaska. “He responded in writing, signaling a willingness to engage with me directly and outlining details regarding the Ukrainian children residing in Russia,” she said.

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Since then, Melania Trump added that she and Putin have maintained “an open channel of communication” over the issue. “For the past three months, both sides have participated in several calls, all in good faith,” she said.

Trump also emphasized her coordination with Ukraine’s first lady, Olena Zelenska, and confirmed she met with her last month at the United Nations. The two first ladies met again at the White House on October 17, where they discussed the return of the abducted children — a key factor in the emerging ceasefire proposal.

The Scope of the Crisis

Ukraine’s government estimates that nearly 20,000 children have been forcibly taken to Russia since the invasion began. However, research from the Yale School of Public Health Humanitarian Research Lab suggests the number could be closer to 35,000.