Melania Trump. AFP Yonhap News. 

Melania Trump, wife of U.S. President Donald Trump, announced on the 10th (local time) that she is working with Russian President Vladimir Putin to reunite children separated from their families due to the war between Russia and Ukraine.

At the White House on this day, Mrs. Trump stated, "My representatives have been working directly with President Putin's team to ensure children can be safely reunited with their families in Russia and Ukraine." She added, "Eight children have been reunited with their families in the last 24 hours."

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, tens of thousands of children captured in occupied territories have been taken to Russia, a move that Ukraine and international human rights organizations have criticized as kidnapping and forced displacement.

Mrs. Trump introduced that among the eight children, three had been sent to Russia because of the war, and one was reunited with their family in Russia after being in Ukraine.

Mrs. Trump has shown interest in children separated from their families due to the Ukraine war. In August, during the U.S.-Russia summit held in Alaska, she sent a letter to President Putin through President Trump requesting cooperation on this issue.

Mrs. Trump explained that President Putin responded to the letter at the time and that they have maintained communication channels for the past three months to discuss the matter.

"We have agreed to cooperate to ensure that everyone affected by this war benefits (through humanitarian measures)," Mrs. Trump said.

She also requested Russia's cooperation in allowing minors at the time of their separation, who are now adults residing in Russia, to return safely to their families. Russia has agreed to return individuals who have turned 18 within a short period, she reported.

Yonhap News