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AFP/GettyPresident of Ukraine Volodimir Zelensky presented Donald Trump a letter of thanks for the wife of Melania, written by the first Lady of Ukraine Elena Zelenskaya, after Melania advocated the protection of children.
Zelensky thanked Melania for increasing the awareness of at least 19,500 Ukrainian children, which his government says that Russia has been abducted since its full -scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
His comments come after Melania sent Russian President Vladimir Putin with his own letter, calling him to consider children, saying that “you will do more in defense of the innocence of these children than to serve Russia only – you serve humanity.”
Her letter did not refer to any specific children.
Over the weekend, the White House shared on social networks Putin’s letter.
In it, Melania said that every child dreams of love, opportunity and safety from danger. “
“Mr. Putin, you can clearly restore their melodic laughter,” she wrote.
Asked by a reporter about a letter on Monday, Trump said his wife, who felt very much, possesses great love for children and “hates to see something similar”, adding the same to other wars.
“She would like to see this goal, she says it is very open, very proud and with great sadness because so many people died,” he said.
Zelensky praised Melania “for attention to one of the most painful and complex issues of this war – the abduction of Ukrainian children by Russia”, “adding” we deeply appreciate its sympathy. “
“This issue is at the heart of the humanitarian tragedy of the war – our children, broken families, pain from the division.”
The President of Ukraine continued: “Her voice matters, and her concern gives the strength to the case.”
Ukrainian government says about 19,500 children were deported and/or forcibly taken from their homes to Russia or Russian territories, approximately 1500 returned.
In 2023, the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children’s Commissioner Maria Levo-Belova for allegedly illegal deportation of children.
Russia denies the prosecution and states that it has defended vulnerable children by moving them from military safety zone.
The return of children is part of Ukraine’s position in peace talks with Russia.
Following the meeting on Monday, Zelensky, Trump and European leaders in the White House, the President of the European Commission Ursul von der Leyen said on social media: “The cost of the human war should end.”
“And this means that every Ukrainian child abducted by Russia must be returned to their families.”
She thanked Trump for “his clear commitment today to make these children with their loved ones.”
Von der Leyen responded to the post in Trump’s social media, who said that the missing children around the world were important for Melania.
