OPINION:
For more than four years, Russia’s campaign to abduct Ukrainian children has been one of the war’s enduring humanitarian tragedies. Now, an unlikely figure has emerged as one of the strongest advocates for bringing those children home: First Lady Melania Trump.
Since Moscow’s illegal invasion began in 2022, Ukraine says Kremlin forces have forcibly deported more than 20,000 children and placed them in Russian homes, reeducation camps, and military training facilities.
Russia targeted children from low-income families, particularly those whose parents served in the Ukrainian military. According to Yale’s Humanitarian Research Lab (YRHL), children were malnourished, denied family communication, and physically abused. The kidnappings are part of Russian ruler Vladimir Putin’s quest “to erase what they see as a ‘constructed’ Ukrainian identity and replace it with a unified Russian one,” according to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
The United Nations says Mr. Putin’s “direct involvement” has been “visible from the outset.” On the first anniversary of Moscow’s invasion, Mr. Putin forced Ukrainian children on stage during a pro-war concert in front of a live stadium of spectators to thank Russian soldiers for “saving” them. This included children whose parents died during Russia’s invasion.
The following month, the International Criminal Court announced an arrest warrant for Mr. Putin accusing him of the war crime of unlawful deportation and transfer of children. For the past three years, Russia has insisted it rescued the children from war-torn areas, yet Moscow has made no meaningful effort to send them home.
An estimated 1,800 children have been rescued thanks to Ukrainians and NGOs using underground railroad networks. Austria, Qatar, South Africa, and the Vatican have also helped negotiate the return of some children.
Several months ago, Mrs. Trump told reporters that she and Mr. Putin “have had an open channel of communication regarding the welfare of these children. For the past three months both sides have participated in several back-channel meetings and calls all in good faith.” NBC subsequently reported that President Trump also gave Mr. Putin a letter from the First Lady during their Alaska summit, rightly describing her efforts as “remarkable,” and adding that “this is a big issue for her.”
Carrie Filipetti, Executive Director for the Vandenburg Coalition, a group illuminating the issue, says Mrs. Trump’s efforts are achieving results through humanitarian diplomacy.
“The First Lady deserves enormous credit for her advocacy on behalf of Ukrainian children,” she told The Washington Times. “In the midst of an intractable conflict, her work has directly saved lives and reunited families and brought important attention to Russia’s abduction and attempted impressment of tens of thousands of Ukrainian children. When she says the U.S. stands with children around the world, she is the one making sure that’s true, and making sure America continues to be seen as a force for good in the world.”
On July 30, The White House released a statement reporting that Mrs. Trump “helped reunite a fifth group of both Ukrainian and Russian children with their loved ones, continuing her humanitarian work on behalf of those affected by the war.” The statement reported that five more children were reunited with their families.
“While diplomacy and peacebuilding are important to this effort, they are surpassed by our collective ability to place children above international disputes,” Mrs. Trump said. “Every reunion is a reminder that compassion, dignity, and family can transcend even the darkest of times: war. My representative and I continue working with the governments of Russia and Ukraine to safely return children to their families and communities.” The White House statement accurately described the First Lady’s crusade as “leadership” that “bridged political divides in pursuit of a singular humanitarian mission.”
Those involved in efforts on the ground in Ukraine say each reunification is a victory for humanity.
“Even small groups of children returned are important,” said Stephen Moore, a former Republican congressional aide who has spent the past four years in Ukraine, and produced “The Stolen Children,” a new documentary narrated by conservative activist Meaghan Mobbs. “Just knowing the First Lady of the United States is working on this issue is an inspiration and morale boost for those of us who see the pain first hand on the ground.”
Mrs. Trump’s efforts also recall another First Lady who unexpectedly influenced U.S.-Soviet relations. During the 1961 Vienna Summit, Jacqueline Kennedy’s warmth and intelligence impressed Nikita Khrushchev and helped soften an otherwise tense diplomatic encounter. Mrs. Trump’s diplomacy serves a different purpose, yet it likewise demonstrates that First Ladies can sometimes advance American interests through channels unavailable to presidents themselves.
Much of the criticism directed at Mrs. Trump has reflected partisan hostility toward her husband rather than her own record.
Melania Trump grew up under communism but is emerging as a heroic human rights defender who champions the free world. She is using her intellect and platform to fight for our most cherished values while championing displaced children.
To be sure, last year, the First Lady and Queen Camilla attended a formal state banquet at Windsor Castle wearing matching blue and yellow dresses, Ukraine’s national colors. That evening, King Charles III spoke in support of Ukraine’s efforts to remain free and independent. While the king’s words were heard that evening, it was Mrs. Trump and Queen Camilla’s coordinated blue-and-yellow attire that captured the world’s attention.
These acts of humanitarian support deserve recognition. They are admirable, and they are righteous. They warrant respect. To that end, we should stand alongside our First Lady and join her in her efforts—until every child displaced by Russia’s invasion returns home.
• Jeffrey Scott Shapiro is a former senior U.S. official who serves on The Washington Times editorial board. Kelly Sadler is the Commentary editor of The Washington Times. “The Stolen Children” can be viewed at www.faithinwar.com/stolen-children.
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