Headlines
Melania Trump says talks with Putin team continue to free Ukrainian kids
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on February 4, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 4, 2026
Global Banking and Finance Review
Company
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on February 4, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 4, 2026
Melania Trump continues discussions with Putin's team to return Ukrainian children to their homeland, with 15 already returned amid ongoing conflict.
By Bo Erickson
WASHINGTON, Feb 4 (Reuters) - U.S. first lady Melania Trump said on Wednesday she remains in contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin's team in an effort to secure the return of more Ukrainian children from Russia.
"I'm working on it, and we are in the process," she told reporters at the White House. "I hope we have success very soon."
She did not share details about talks between her representatives and Putin's team.
An East Wing spokesman said the lines of communication had continued after Melania Trump wrote a letter to Putin -- hand-delivered by her husband, President Donald Trump, last August -- about abducted Ukrainian children.
Fifteen children have been returned to Ukraine since the first lady started her advocacy, including seven children in December.
Ukraine has accused Russia of abducting at least 19,000 of its children and taking them to Russia or Russian-occupied territory without the consent of family or guardians since it invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Russia has repeatedly denied abducting Ukrainian children, saying it acted to keep them safe from the fighting.
On Wednesday, Russian and Ukrainian officials said they had "productive" talks in U.S.-led negotiations aimed at ending the four-year-old war, although Russia earlier this week attacked Ukraine with hundreds of drones and a record number of ballistic missiles.
Melania Trump, who has kept a low profile during her husband's second term, met at the White House on Wednesday with two freed Israeli American hostages, Keith and Aviva Siegel.
(Reporting by Bo Erickson; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Rosalba O'Brien)
Humanitarian aid refers to assistance provided to people in need, particularly during crises such as wars or natural disasters, aimed at saving lives and alleviating suffering.
Child protection involves measures and practices aimed at safeguarding children from abuse, neglect, and exploitation, ensuring their rights and well-being.
Social development refers to the process of improving the well-being of individuals and communities through social, economic, and cultural advancements.
An international organization is an entity established by multiple countries to work together on common goals, such as promoting peace, security, and development.
A central bank is a national financial institution that oversees the monetary system, manages currency, and implements monetary policy to stabilize the economy.
Explore more articles in the Headlines category
