During a meeting in the Oval Office, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky presented former President Donald Trump with a letter from Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska. The letter expressed gratitude to Melania Trump for her efforts in raising awareness about the abduction of approximately 19,500 Ukrainian children, a situation attributed to Russia’s full-scale invasion that began in 2022.
In her own correspondence, Melania Trump previously sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to consider the impact of the war on children. She emphasized that “in protecting the innocence of these children, you will do more than serve Russia alone – you serve humanity.” However, her letter did not specify any individual children.
The White House shared Melania’s letter on social media over the weekend, wherein she mentioned that every child dreams “of love, possibility, and safety from danger”. In response to inquiries about this letter, Donald Trump noted his wife’s strong feelings about the plight of children affected by war and her desire for peace.
Zelensky commended Melania Trump for her focus on the challenging issue of Ukrainian child abductions, which he described as central to the humanitarian crisis resulting from the war. He expressed appreciation for her empathy, suggesting that her involvement could help strengthen efforts to address this concern.
The Ukrainian government maintains that around 19,500 children have been forcibly taken to Russia or occupied territories, with approximately 1,500 having been returned thus far. In 2023, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Putin and his Children’s Rights Commissioner for their roles in the alleged unlawful deportation of these children, a claim that Russia contests, stating it has acted out of protective concern for the displaced children.
After the meeting, European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen reiterated the necessity of returning every abducted Ukrainian child to their families, thanking Trump for his commitment to this cause. Valerii Krut, a grandfather of four, and student Sofia Muravytska also shared their perspectives on the impact of child abductions, emphasizing the profound pain felt by the community and the importance of the ongoing dialogue between the first ladies.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czd08nj08r3o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss