First Lady Melania Trump says Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to her letter of concern about the child victims of the Russia-Ukraine war.
She made the announcement on Friday, saying that after an open channel of communication with Putin, Ukrainian children displaced in the war had been reunited with families.
The First Lady's peace letter was hand delivered to Putin during his Alaska visit in August.
President Donald Trump shared parts of the letter on social media. In it, the first lady pleads with Putin to protect children, writing that doing so will do more than serve Russia alone and will serve humanity itself.
Eight children have been rejoined with their families during the past 24 hours, Mrs. Trump noted, flanked by American flags behind a podium in the White House.
Each child has lived in turmoil because of the war in Ukraine, she said.
Of the eight children, three separated from their families were displaced to Russia because of front-line fighting.
Another young girl displaced by the conflict has now been returned from Ukraine to Russia, Mrs. Trump says.
The children's reunification with their families was facilitated by both Ukraine and Russia, the First Lady said, adding that she was given a detailed report with photographs and the identities and circumstances of each child.
The US government confirmed the facts, she stressed.
Mrs. Trump remarked that she has learned a lot about this matter since her letter was first handed to Putin. She indicated that he responded in writing.
In her letter, the First Lady wrote: Every child shares the same quiet dreams in their heart... They dream of love, possibility, and safety from danger.
This announcement marks a positive development in her advocacy for children from the White House, which began during President Trump's first term.
She launched the BE BEST initiative in January 2021, which the White House describes as an awareness campaign focused around the well-being of children globally.
Earlier this year, the First Lady led an initiative for Congress to pass a bill banning revenge porn called the Take It Down Act. After the bill was signed, she stated it was a powerful statement that we stand united in protecting the dignity, privacy, and safety of our children.
