WASHINGTON – Vladimir Putin's government has agreed to return Ukrainian children who were taken to Russia as minors and have since turned 18, first lady Melania Trump said in a rare address from the White House, where she highlighted her personal efforts to reunite children with their families.
Trump has held relatively few White House events since her husband returned to office, making her decision to speak out about missing children − who she described as "residing in" or having been "displaced" to Russia − a notable use of her platform.
She said she aimed to facilitate regular reunifications of children with their families until every child is returned home. "As first lady, this is an important initiative for me," Trump said. "It is built on shared purpose and lasting impact."
Tens of thousands of children were forcibly taken to Russia amid Moscow's unprovoked war, the Ukrainian government says. It has been working to bring them back.
"Given the dangers of traversing this war-torn region, their safe return requires coordinated assistance. Accordingly, Russia has agreed to rejoin the individuals who have turned 18 within a short period of time," Trump announced on Oct. 10. "Plans are already underway to reunify more children in the immediate future."
