ANCHORAGE, Alaska — On Friday, August 15, 2025, First Lady Melania Trump took an unprecedented diplomatic step by penning a heartfelt letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to prioritize the safety of children caught in conflict. The letter, hand-delivered by President Donald Trump during his summit with Putin at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska, called for peace without directly naming Ukraine, where Russia’s invasion since 2022 has displaced millions. The letter’s contents, first reported by Fox News, were widely shared by Trump supporters, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, on social media.
In her message, written on White House stationery, Melania Trump appealed to Putin’s sense of responsibility. “Every child shares the same quiet dreams in their heart, whether born randomly into a nation’s rustic countryside or a magnificent city-center. They dream of love, possibility, and safety from danger,” she wrote. She emphasized that protecting children transcends borders, adding, “In protecting the innocence of these children, you will do more than serve Russia alone—you serve humanity itself.” The First Lady urged Putin to act decisively, stating, “You, Mr. Putin, are fit to implement this vision with a stroke of the pen today. It is time.”
The letter, read by Putin before both U.S. and Russian delegations, comes amid heightened scrutiny of Russia’s actions, including the forced transfer of over 19,000 Ukrainian children, a war crime for which the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against Putin. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called Melania’s gesture “a true act of humanism,” per ABC News. However, critics noted the letter’s omission of Ukraine’s name, with some, like X user @EuromaidanPR, arguing it failed to address the specific issue of abducted Ukrainian children explicitly.
As Trump’s summit with Putin yielded no ceasefire, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, set to meet Trump in Washington on Monday, expressed gratitude for Melania’s outreach. The letter underscores her rare foray into international diplomacy, amplifying calls for peace as the Ukraine conflict grinds on.
Source: Fox News
