Seven Ukrainian Children Return To Their Family, Russia Appreciates Melania Trump

JAKARTA - Russia said a number of Ukrainian children had met their families again, appreciating the involvement of the First Lady of the United States in the process.

Russian Presidential Commissioner for Child Rights (Russian Child Ombudsman) Maria Lvova-Belova said a number of Ukrainian boys and girls had been reunited with her family.

"Seven children are being reunited with their families in Ukraine, six men and one woman," wrote Lvova-Belova on the Max Messenger app.

"I would like to thank US First Lady Melania Trump for her continued commitment and participation in this effort. She participated in our ongoing efforts to reunite children with their families," he continued.

He added that efforts to reunite children with their families in Russia, Ukraine and third countries are being carried out on instructions from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Meanwhile, Melania Trump praised Russia's continued efforts to repatriate Ukrainian children, as good cooperation between the two countries.

"I commend the persistent leadership and diplomacy of Russia and Ukraine in efforts to reunite children and families. Their efforts to build bridges have created a real collaborative environment, an anchor for optimism," he said in a statement.

"My hope is that, in the end, our collective efforts will lead to wider regional stability," he continued.

Melania Trump is known to have made repatriating Ukrainian children from Russia a priority, as President Donald Trump's efforts to end the war now entering its fourth year in Ukraine.

In October, he said he had established an open communication line with Russian President Vladimir Putin and that several children had been returned to their families, and many more would soon be reunited.

Ukraine itself accuses Russia of kidnapping at least 19,000 children into Russia or occupied territory of Russia without the consent of its family or guardians after invading Ukraine in February 2022.

Russia has repeatedly denied kidnapping Ukrainian children, saying the measures were taken to keep them safe from fighting.

Separately, the UN General Assembly on Wednesday adopted Resolution A/ES-11/L.16/Rev.1 in a vote with 91 votes in favor, 12 against and 57 abstention votes, quoted from the UN News website.

The resolution proposed by Ukraine, Denmark, Britain, Germany to Canada demands that the Russian Federation ensure immediate, safe and unconditional repatriation of all Ukrainian children who have been transferred or forcibly deported.

The Assembly also urged Moscow to immediately stop these activities, and end family separation practices and "change in personal status (children)" through citizenship, adoption, foster placement, or indoctrination.