Did Zelensky's Chief of Staff Thank Melania Trump for Her Appeal to Putin?

Kyiv, Aug 17 (NationPress) Andriy Yermak, the Chief of Staff for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, expressed his gratitude to Melania Trump, the First Lady of the United States, for her appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the protection of Ukrainian children who have been forcibly taken.

Yermak emphasized that the return of these abducted children should be a fundamental prerequisite for any peace negotiations, stating this in a social media post on Saturday.

He conveyed his appreciation for Trump’s letter to Putin, where she urged the Russian leader to “singlehandedly restore” the children’s “melodic laughter.”

According to the Ukraine Conflict Observatory, more than 35,000 Ukrainian children have been abducted during the conflict and relocated to over 100 sites across Russia and Russian-controlled territories.

In her letter, which was personally delivered by US President Donald Trump in Anchorage, Alaska, Melania Trump called on Putin to protect children and “nurture the next generation's hope” amidst the ongoing war.

“We must strive to create a world filled with dignity for all, so every soul may awaken to peace, and the future remains secure. A simple yet profound idea, Mr. Putin, is that each generation starts their lives with an innocence that transcends geography, government, and ideology,” she wrote.

Melania Trump further stated that Putin “can singlehandedly restore children's melodic laughter,” adding that by safeguarding these children's innocence, he would not only serve Russia but also humanity as a whole. “Such a noble idea rises above all human divisions, and you, Mr. Putin, are capable of realizing this vision with a simple stroke of the pen. The time is now,” she asserted.

She emphasized that every child harbors the same dreams in their hearts, irrespective of where they are born, dreaming of love, possibility, and safety from harm.

As parents, it is our duty to foster the hopes of the next generation, Melania Trump urged, adding that as leaders, the responsibility for our children extends beyond the comfort of a privileged few.

President Trump handed the letter to Putin before their high-stakes summit in Alaska, according to a White House official.

Melania Trump did not attend the nearly three-hour meeting between US and Russian officials at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson near Anchorage.

Since the conflict erupted in late February 2022, Russia has reportedly taken thousands of Ukrainian children, forcibly relocating them to Russia, attempting to grant them Russian citizenship, and enrolling them in Russian schools.

In March, the United Nations condemned Russia for the suffering inflicted on children due to the ongoing war, which has persisted for over three years.

Russia has previously defended its actions, claiming it is protecting children from conflict zones.

According to a Ukrainian government tracker, over 19,000 children have been deported from Ukraine to Russia, with estimates suggesting the actual number could be significantly higher.

Prior to the Trump-Putin summit, Zelensky informed reporters that Moscow has been unresponsive regarding discussions on the return of Ukrainian children.

While some transfers have occurred with the aid of other nations, Kyiv has been unable to negotiate a comprehensive agreement with Russia concerning this issue.

Zelensky noted, “This is beneficial for everyone: President Trump gains, the Russians lose nothing, and the Ukrainians lose nothing. It’s a fair compromise.”