8 Ukrainian children freed after Melania Trump-Putin talks

First Lady Melania Trump announces the reunification of eight Ukrainian children with their families through diplomatic talks with Vladimir Putin (Illustrative image) (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) Getty Images

First Lady Melania Trump secured the return of eight Ukrainian children to their families through unprecedented direct negotiations with Vladimir Putin. The reunions took place within the last 24 hours after months of back-channel diplomacy between the White House and the Kremlin.

Three of the children had been separated from their parents and displaced to Russia due to frontline fighting. The remaining five were separated from family members across borders because of the conflict, including one young girl reunited from Ukraine to Russia.

Mrs Trump said: "Each child has lived in turmoil because of the war in Ukraine. President Putin and I have had an open channel of communication regarding the welfare of these children."

Three-month diplomatic process

The First Lady revealed that both sides participated in several back-channel meetings and calls over the past three months. Teams from Russia and Ukraine cooperated to facilitate the children's release as part of an ongoing humanitarian initiative.

Mrs Trump added: "We have agreed to cooperate with each other for the benefit of all people involved in this war. My representative has been working directly with President Putin's team to ensure the safe reunification of children with their families between Russia and Ukraine."

Russia provided detailed biographies, photographs and an overview of social, medical and psychological services for each child involved in this week's reunification. The US government confirmed the accuracy of the facts contained within these documents.

Massive scale remains

Yale University estimates that over 35,000 children have been taken to more than 100 locations in Russia and occupied territories, according to Sky News. The Institute for Study of War has verified 19,500+ children as deported, with the true figure likely much higher, the Independent reports.

Mrs Trump outlined her ongoing mission as twofold: to optimise transparent information exchange about children affected by the war and facilitate regular communication between children and families until each individual returns home. Plans are already underway to secure the release of more children from the estimated 20,000 Ukrainian children taken since the war began.

Sources used: "Express", "Independent", "Mirror", "Daily Mail", "Sky News", "BBC" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.