{"id":2517476,"date":"2025-12-04T11:34:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T16:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/melania-trump-announces-return-of-seven-ukrainian-children\/"},"modified":"2025-12-04T11:36:43","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T16:36:43","slug":"melania-trump-announces-return-of-seven-ukrainian-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/melania-trump-announces-return-of-seven-ukrainian-children\/","title":{"rendered":"Melania Trump announces return of seven Ukrainian children"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmelania-trump-announces-return-of-seven-ukrainian-children%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2517476&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>First Lady Melania Trump announced that seven Ukrainian children-six boys and one girl-have been returned to their families amid the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Russian forces have been accused of abducting nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children in attempts to indoctrinate them against their homeland, actions widely condemned as war crimes. Melania Trump has prioritized the safe return of these children,highlighting diplomatic efforts between Russia and Ukraine that have fostered cooperation toward reunification. U.S.lawmakers from both parties have declared that the return of these children is non-negotiable in any peace agreement, with some senators labeling the abductions as genocide aimed at erasing Ukrainian identity. The Senate committee recently moved to classify Russia as a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/why-this-average-american-is-voting-for-donald-trump\/\" title=\"Why This Average American Is Voting for Donald ...\">state sponsor<\/a> of terrorism if it fails to return the children. Despite Russian denials and accusations against the West,international support and humanitarian aid continue to back the reunification process. Ukrainian officials note that while over 1,800 children have been repatriated,many more remain abducted,with ongoing efforts for their psychological and social rehabilitation.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Melania Trump announces return of seven Ukrainian children<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2423251\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>First lady <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/melania-trump\/\">Melania Trump<\/a> announced Thursday morning that seven <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ukraine\/\">Ukrainian<\/a> children &mdash; six boys and one girl &mdash; have been returned to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/foreign-policy\/3906039\/repatriation-ukrainian-children-russia-peace-deal\/\">their families<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>As Russia&rsquo;s war with Ukraine rages on, Russian soldiers have nabbed Ukrainian children in an effort to warp their worldview against their country. Nearly 20,000 estimated Ukrainian children have yet to be repatriated. Russia has been widely condemned for the actions, which are seen as a war crime.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3906769\/state-department-renaming-usip-donald-j-trump-institute-of-peace\/\">State Department announces renaming USIP &#8216;Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3906726\/admiral-bradley-to-tell-congress-boat-strike-survivors-were-legitimate-targets\/\">Adm. Mitch Bradley to tell Congress boat strike survivors were &lsquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/admiral-bradley-to-tell-congress-boat-strike-survivors-were-legitimate-targets\/\" title=\"Admiral Bradley to tell ... were \u2018legitimate targets\u2019\">legitimate targets&#038;rsquo<\/a>;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3906426\/trump-cant-shake-affordability-hoax\/\">Trump can&#8217;t shake the affordability &#8216;hoax&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The first lady has made children one of her top priorities throughout both terms. She launched the &ldquo;Be Best&rdquo; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/facebooks-political-ad-ban-is-blocking-vaccine-information\/\" title=\"Facebook\u2019s Political Ad Ban Is Blocking Vaccine Information\">public awareness campaign<\/a> to combat cyberbullying until the end of President Donald Trump&rsquo;s first term.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;My dedication to guaranteeing the safe return of children to their families in this region is unwavering,&rdquo; the first lady said.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I commend the leadership and persistent diplomacy of Russia and Ukraine in the pursuit of the reunification of children and families,&rdquo; she added. &ldquo;Their bridge-building has created a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >tangible collaborative environment&#038;mdash<\/a>;an anchor for optimism. This cooperation will continue to drive the process forward through the next phase.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/foreign-policy\/3906039\/repatriation-ukrainian-children-russia-peace-deal\/\">LAWMAKERS SAY REPATRIATION OF UKRAINIAN CHILDREN TAKEN BY RUSSIAN FORCES NOT UP FOR NEGOTIATION<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Trump said last month that eight children had been returned to their families after she opened a line of communication with the Kremlin. She penned a letter in August urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to protect children and &ldquo;single handedly restore their melodic laughter.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>U.S. lawmakers have made it clear that the return of the children is not optional in a Ukraine peace deal. The Senate Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs held a hearing on Wednesday, highlighting the children&rsquo;s abduction.<\/p>\n<p>Both Republicans and Democrats at the hearing believed the mass abduction to be unacceptable.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;There&rsquo;ll be sacrifices made&rdquo; in any agreement to end the war, Sen.&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/lindsey-graham\">Lindsey Graham<\/a>&nbsp;(R-SC) said during his opening remarks at the hearing, &ldquo;but one of the sacrifices we&rsquo;re not going to make is to give Russia 19,000 Ukrainian children. That&rsquo;s not a sacrifice I&rsquo;m willing to make. I doubt if anybody up here is willing to make a sacrifice. This is not about land. This is about families. It&rsquo;s about the very fabric of society.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) added that any peace deal to end the war that doesn&rsquo;t include consequences for Russia&rsquo;s kidnapping of thousands of Ukrainian children would be &ldquo;unacceptable&rdquo; and argued that doing so would &ldquo;set a very dangerous precedent for the world.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) said the abduction of children in the war constitutes genocide.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It is genocide because the ultimate goal of abducting these children is to erase Ukrainian identity. It is part of a strategic effort to erase the nation of Ukraine from existence, and Putin tried it by conquering territory,&rdquo;&nbsp;he said in the hearing.<\/p>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rnc-withdraws-from-commission-on-presidential-debates-over-biased-commissions-refusal-to-play-fair\/\" title=\"RNC Withdraws From Commission On Presidential Debates Over \u2018Biased\u2019 Commission\u2019s Refusal To Play Fair\">committee unanimously voted<\/a> to advance legislation to deem Russia a state-sponsor of terrorism if it does not return the abducted children.<\/p>\n<p>Russia has said the abduction accusation is false. At a vote for a United Nations resolution to prod Russia into returning the children, which was backed by the U.S., Russia&rsquo;s Deputy U.N. Ambassador Maria Zabolotskaya said any support for the resolution is &ldquo;support for lies, war, and confrontation.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Every vote against is a vote for peace,&rdquo; she said.<\/p>\n<p>Trump said the U.S. has provided &ldquo;humanitarian support&rdquo; to help the reunification plan.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;In close partnership, my representative and I have provided humanitarian support from the United States to enhance the reunification initiative&rsquo;s outcome. My hope is that, ultimately, our collective efforts will lead to broader regional stability,&rdquo; she said.<\/p>\n<p>There&rsquo;s some speculation as to the exact number of abducted children. Ukrainian officials believe the number to be around 19,500, while others think it could be significantly higher.<\/p>\n<p>Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska said during a meeting with French first lady Brigitte Macron and others in Paris that 1,859 Ukrainian children have been brought back to the country so far. <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The abduction of children by Russians is violence, intimidation, separation from loved ones, lies, and loss of identity,&rdquo; Zelenska <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ZelenskaUA\/status\/1995593265492459946?s=20\">wrote on X <\/a>after the meeting. <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;But the journey does not end with the child returning home. Psychological and social rehabilitation is needed. Ukraine is creating special programs for this purpose. We are grateful to every person in the world who hears the pain of children and helps us defend justice,&rdquo; she added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Melania Trump announces return of seven Ukrainian kids<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2517477,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/melania-trump.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651,538],"tags":[40669,67602,32423,68217,58589],"class_list":["post-2517476","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-child-rescue","tag-humanitarian-effort","tag-melania-trump","tag-ukraine-crisis","tag-ukrainian-children"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/melania-trump.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2517476","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2517476"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2517476\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2517480,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2517476\/revisions\/2517480"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2517477"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2517476"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2517476"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2517476"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}