Five additional Ukrainian and Russian children reunited with families, White House announces
First Lady Melania Trump said five more children separated by the Russia-Ukraine war have been returned to their families, bringing the total of reunifications since October to at least 27.
The White House reported Thursday that five more children from Ukraine and Russia, who were separated from their families during the ongoing conflict, have been reunited with relatives. The announcement was made by First Lady Melania Trump, who said the effort reflects a focus on placing children above political disputes. > "While diplomacy and peacebuilding are important to this effort, they are surpassed by our collective ability to place children above international disputes," Trump said in a statement. She added that she and her representative continue to work with the governments of Russia and Ukraine to return children safely.
The latest reunifications mark the fifth such operation since the first lady announced in October that she had opened a communication channel with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the issue. According to the White House, at least 27 children have been returned so far, most of them from Ukrainian families.
Humanitarian organizations have documented large-scale removal of Ukrainian children since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, with estimates ranging from over 1,200 verified cases to as many as 20,000 reported by Kyiv officials. The United Nations and other bodies have raised concerns about the conditions faced by children taken to Russia, including reports of inadequate care and psychological trauma.
In March 2023, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin on charges related to the alleged war crimes of child abduction.