Here's what was in the letter Melania Trump sent to Putin
Though the letter did not explicitly mention Ukraine, Melania Trump urged Putin to reflect on 'an innocence which stands above geography, government, and ideology.' She told him that he could 'singlehandedly restore' the 'melodic laughter' of children caught in conflict.
'In protecting the innocence of these children, you will do more than serve Russia alone, you serve humanity itself,' the first lady wrote. She added that with 'the stroke of a pen,' Putin had the power to change their lives.
A copy of the letter was first obtained by Fox News and later circulated widely on social media by Trump supporters, including US Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Our incredible First Lady @MELANIATRUMP shared this powerful, deeply moving letter with President Putin. She speaks from the heart of every American in calling for a world where children, regardless of where they are born, can live in peace. pic.twitter.com/Soqrv1euAm
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) August 16, 2025
The abduction of children has been one of the most sensitive issues in the conflict. Ukraine has accused Moscow of forcibly taking tens of thousands of minors into Russia or Russian-occupied territories without parental consent, calling it a war crime that meets the UN treaty definition of genocide.
Moscow, in contrast, has argued it is evacuating vulnerable children from a war zone for their protection.
The United Nations Human Rights Office has said that since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022, millions of Ukrainian children have suffered and their rights have been systematically violated.
(With inputs from AP, Reuters)
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