Melania Trump says some children caught up in Ukraine war have been returned to families after talks with Putin
Jeff Mason
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. first lady Melania Trump said she has had open communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin about the repatriation of children from the war in Ukraine, some of whom have been returned to their families and many more will soon be reunited.
“This remains an ongoing effort,” she told reporters at the White House on Friday. She said Putin responded to her letter earlier this year and they remained in touch.
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“President Putin and I have had open communication regarding the welfare of these children,” she said. “Both parties have participated in numerous secret meetings and conference calls over the past few months.”
The first lady said her representatives are working directly with Putin’s team to ensure the safe reunification of children with their families between Russia and Ukraine.
She said eight children had been returned to their families in the past 24 hours.
President Trump has expressed frustration in recent weeks with his failure to end the war in Ukraine, which he promised as a candidate to end in one day.
(Reporting by Jeff Mason and Susan Seavey; Editing by Doina Chiacu, Ross Colvin and Alistair Bell)
