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Melania Trump Says Back-Channel With Putin Reunited Children Citing Eight Returned in Past Day

Her claim comes against longstanding allegations of forced child transfers under an ICC warrant that Russia rejects.

Overview

  • She said contact began after President Trump handed Putin a peace letter from her during an August meeting in Alaska.
  • According to her account, Putin replied in writing and agreed to exchange information directly about Ukrainian children in Russia.
  • She said subsequent meetings and calls between her team and the Kremlin enabled returns to families in Ukraine and in Russia.
  • She reported eight reunifications in the last 24 hours, including one child moved from Ukraine back to Russia after displacement by fighting.
  • Ukraine alleges nearly 20,000 minors were deported since 2022, the ICC issued a 2023 warrant for Putin over alleged transfers, Moscow denies the claims, and the reported returns have not been independently verified.