The White House announced the return of seven Ukrainian children to their families thanks to an initiative by Melania Trump that encouraged international cooperation.
The White House announced Thursday that Russia, with the help of US First Lady Melania Trump, returned seven Ukrainian children to their families. TASR writes about it according to The Moscow Times portal and the White House website.
- Russia returned seven Ukrainian children to their families in Ukraine.
- An initiative supported by Melania Trump aimed at reuniting families.
- The Russian ombudsman thanked the first lady of the USA for her help.
As part of the “reunification initiative”, six boys and one girl were reunited with their families in Ukraine. “My commitment to ensuring the safe return of children to their families in this region is unwavering. I appreciate the leadership and steadfast diplomacy of Russia and Ukraine in their efforts to reunite children and families. Their bridge-building has created a tangible environment for cooperation, an anchor of optimism. This cooperation will continue to move the process forward in the next phase,” Melania Trump said in a statement.
Reaction of the Russian Ombudsman
Russia’s Ombudsman for Children’s Rights, Marija Lvovova-Belovova, confirmed the children’s return and thanked the US first lady for her “unwavering commitment and involvement in this effort.”
Melania Trump said in October that she had been in contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin through her representative and was concerned about the fate of Ukrainian children who were taken to Russia after Moscow invaded in February 2022.
The numbers of deportations are alarming
She also said President Putin responded to a letter she sent him through her husband during a summit in Alaska in August.
In March 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Maria Lvovova-Belovova and Vladimir Putin on suspicion of the illegal transportation of Ukrainian children, which the prosecution classifies as a war crime. Russia does not recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court and has rejected the charges.
According to Kyiv, Russian authorities have deported more than 19,000 Ukrainian children, and Ukraine’s foreign ministry said on Thursday that only 1,850 of them had been returned so far.
Reactions of Kiev and Moscow
Abduction of Ukrainian children to Russia or the territories occupied by Russia without the knowledge of their parents or guardians is perceived by Kyiv as a war crime that meets the definition of genocide according to UN agreements. Moscow claims that the deportations are protecting vulnerable children in the war zone.
