(MENAFN) US First Lady Melania Trump revealed on Friday that she has maintained direct communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the fate of Ukrainian children displaced by the ongoing conflict. In a statement at the White House, Trump highlighted that eight children had been successfully reunited with their families within the last 24 hours.

"Much has unfolded since President Putin received my letter last August. He responded in writing, signaling a willingness to engage with me directly and outlined details regarding the Ukrainian children residing in Russia," Trump shared. She emphasized that both she and Putin have kept an open line of communication since then, with the aim of ensuring the safe reunification of children who were separated from their families due to the war.

Melania Trump confirmed that her representative had been working closely with Putin’s team to facilitate the reunification process. "In fact, eight children have been rejoined with their families during the past 24 hours," she said, underscoring that Russia had agreed to reunite children who had turned 18 as part of these efforts.

The first lady also expressed hope for peace, stating, "This remains an ongoing effort. Plans are already underway to reunify more children in the immediate future. I hope peace will come soon, and it can begin with our children."

The effort began after President Donald Trump personally delivered Melania Trump's "peace letter" to President Putin during their meeting in Alaska in August. The letter called attention to the plight of displaced Ukrainian children and initiated a back-channel dialogue between the two sides.

"For the past three months, both sides have participated in several back-channel meetings and calls, all in good faith,” Melania Trump said, reaffirming the commitment to cooperation for the welfare of those involved in this sensitive work.

In response, Olena Zelenska, the wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, expressed gratitude towards the first lady for drawing international attention to Ukraine's crisis and the tragic separation of families due to the war.

This humanitarian effort highlights a rare instance of direct cooperation between US and Russian leadership amid the broader geopolitical tensions surrounding the conflict in Ukraine.

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