Russian Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova reported that five children from Russia and Ukraine are about to be reunited with their families under an international humanitarian initiative coordinated by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Kirill Dmitriev, Vladimir Putin’s special envoy, praised Melania Trump for what he called “a vital global humanitarian and peacemaking role” in helping Russian and Ukrainian children separated from their families reunite with relatives. In a post on X Thursday, he stated: “Under her coordination, 33 children have already been reunited with their families,” adding that “more reunifications” are ahead.

The White House noted this represents the fifth group of children Melania Trump has helped reunite. A White House statement described the milestone as “another step toward ensuring that innocent kids can safely return to their homes, communities, and the people who care for them.” Melania Trump commented: “While diplomacy and peacebuilding are important to this effort, they are surpassed by our collective ability to place children above international disputes.”

Lvova-Belova reported a five-year-old boy recently arrived in Russia to be reunited with his mother. The child had lived with his father in Ukraine in 2020; earlier this year, the boy’s mother learned of his father’s death, and Russian authorities facilitated family reconnection. A Ukrainian woman also traveled to Russia from Germany Thursday to reunite her daughter, who has been living with her grandmother since 2023.

Three more children are scheduled to reunite with relatives in Ukraine and Germany. Another six-year-old boy is set to be reunited with his Ukrainian mother, who has lived in Russia with his grandmother since 2022. A 15-year-old teenager, who has been living with relatives in Russia, will soon travel to his mother in Ukraine. One more 15-year-old will move to Germany to live with his older sister, who requested custody.

Lvova-Belova stated that all humanitarian efforts are conducted upon the orders of President Vladimir Putin based on requests from parents or close relatives, with each child’s interests carefully considered. “Soon, all the children will be reunited with their loved ones!” she added.

According to Moscow’s data, a total of 31 children have been returned to Russia and 145 to Ukraine or other countries as part of this initiative backed by the Russian Children’s Rights Commissioner’s Office.