On Feb. 12, 2026, First Lady Melania Trump announced that six more children had been reunited with their families, marking the third Russia–Ukraine child reunification she has supported through her humanitarian outreach to both countries.
The Feb. 12 reunification involved one child from Russia and five from Ukraine, all of whom had been separated from their families due to the ongoing war. The White House confirmed that Melania Trump and her representative remain in talks with both governments to help ensure the safe return of displaced children.
“Today marks the third reunification since I have been working strategically with both nations,” Melania Trump said. “I have no doubt more progress will come.”
Her involvement started in October, when eight Ukrainian children were reunited with their families. A subsequent effort in December brought another seven children home.
The initiative was launched in response to Ukrainian children being taken from their homeland during the conflict and raised in Russia, a practice that has drawn global criticism as countless families have been torn apart.
Melania Trump’s engagement in the reunification efforts began in August after she wrote a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin. President Donald Trump delivered the letter during his meeting with Putin in Alaska.
Putin responded in writing, establishing a direct communication channel with the first lady. That exchange laid the groundwork for several months of cooperation aimed at assisting children affected by the Russia–Ukraine war.
In the past three months, discreet meetings and discussions have taken place to coordinate these reunifications. Melania Trump’s representative has collaborated directly with Putin’s team to ensure safe transfers across both nations.
On Feb. 13, 2026, Melania Trump posted on X expressing gratitude that Russia and Ukraine remain committed to helping children displaced by the conflict. She noted that although communication has been strong, she is urging both sides to redouble their efforts so every child can be reunited with family or guardians.
This cooperative effort represents a rare area of collaboration between Russia and Ukraine, despite their ongoing conflict. Both governments have shown readiness to work together on this humanitarian matter.
Reuniting children during war requires extensive logistical planning and diplomatic coordination, including verification of family ties and safe travel routes. The direct communication link between the first lady’s office and Russian leadership has helped streamline these negotiations.
International humanitarian law protects children during conflict and prohibits the forced relocation of minors from occupied territories. The reunification efforts seek to address family separations and displacement caused by the war.
The first lady’s initiative builds on the longstanding humanitarian roles taken on by U.S. first ladies, who often use their visibility to advocate for vulnerable populations despite holding no formal office.
The White House has emphasized that communication among all parties remains strong and that cooperation continues constructively. This suggests that additional reunifications may take place in the coming months.
Newly released White House photos also show Melania Trump meeting with Keith and Aviva Siegel on Feb. 4, 2026, in the Blue Room. Keith Siegel was freed on Feb. 1, 2025, after 484 days in Hamas captivity, while Aviva had been released earlier, in November 2023.
The meeting highlighted the first lady’s broader focus on humanitarian issues involving families separated by conflict. Although the Siegels’ situation arose from a different region, it reflects the administration’s wider commitment to addressing hostage crises and family reunification globally.
Analysts note that humanitarian agreements can open pathways for communication even when broader peace talks are stalled. The child reunification initiative is an example of practical cooperation amid the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war.
The first lady has described the effort as meaningful and grounded in shared purpose, aiming for both immediate relief for children and sustained communication between the two nations.
As reunification efforts continue, the White House has indicated that both Ukraine and Russia remain dedicated to locating and returning more children displaced by the conflict. The process requires detailed documentation and verification to ensure each child is safely reunited with their lawful families or guardians.