First Lady Melania Trump announced on Oct. 10, 2025, that eight Ukrainian children, displaced by war, were reunited with their families after secret talks with Putin.

First Lady Melania Trump announced on October 10, 2025, that eight Ukrainian children displaced by the war with Russia have been reunited with their families following behind-the-scenes talks with President Vladimir Putin. She said she initiated contact in August via a letter delivered by former President Donald Trump during a summit in Alaska, leading to an open communication channel. Back-channel meetings and calls have since facilitated the safe return of the children, three of whom were displaced due to frontline fighting and five separated across borders. Russia has agreed to help return minors who turned 18 after being taken. Melania Trump emphasized the ongoing nature of the effort and its importance in promoting peace, amid stalled diplomatic progress and international scrutiny over Russia’s alleged abductions of Ukrainian children.