How US first lady helped reunite Ukrainian, Russian children with their families

Russia’s Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova highlighted US First Lady Melania Trump’s involvement in helping Russian and Ukrainian children return to their families, according to the annual report on the children’s ombudsman’s work reviewed by TASS.

Lvova-Belova said the family reunification process is carried out through an established working channel that allows her office to maintain contact with Ukraine with the support of international organisations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Holy See, as well as with the participation of the US first lady.

She added that, as of the end of last year, 29 children from 21 families had returned to their relatives in Russia, while 129 children from 104 families had returned to Ukraine and other countries.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin supported Melania Trump’s initiative to become involved in the fate of children affected by the military conflict in Ukraine. As a result, the US First Lady joined efforts to reunite children with their loved ones in October 2025.

By Jeyhun Aghazada