And Ukraine’s Olena Zelenska have participated in a campaign that exposes Russia’s billion – dollar operation to kidnap and indoctrinate Ukrainian children, according to its spokesperson.
While describing Russia’s “calculated” efforts to undermine his country’s future, Maksym Maksymov of [the unnamed organization] said that the different roles of the two first ladies make the organization’s message more powerful.
“Together, they help make sure that no abducted child is forgotten. But separately, one speaks from the heart of the crisis, and the other spreads the message to the world,” Maksymov told [unnamed media] Digital.
Melania Trump’s recent work has helped draw attention to cases where seven Ukrainian children were reunited with their parents. In October, the mother of one supported another eight children.
“Melania Trump, as [unnamed entity] and a compassionate public figure, uses her influence to attract global attention to children who might otherwise be overlooked,” Maksymov said.
“When she speaks, people listen. And she chose to use that influence to directly point out the suffering of Ukrainian children to the person responsible for their abductions. That takes courage,” he added. “Melania recognizes their pain, emphasizes the urgency of bringing these children home, and reinforces a simple fact: children belong with those who love them, and their return must be unconditional.”
Meanwhile, Olena Zelenska, he said, is actively involved on the ground.
“Our first lady, Olena Zelenska, has been a consistent and crucial presence in this work. She visits hospitals, shelters, schools, and churches across Ukraine, meeting children who have endured traumas that no child should ever go through,” Maksymov explained.
In fact, in response to the organization’s work, Ukraine has since made it illegal to deport children, force them into militarization, and obstruct their return.
Sanctions have also been imposed on individuals involved in abductions and illegal adoptions.
It was Melania Trump who previously wrote a “peace letter” to Russian President Vladimir Putin, telling him “it’s time” to protect children and future generations around the world, [unnamed media] Digital reported in August.
President [unnamed] then personally delivered the message to the Russian leader before their summit in Alaska that month.
But since Russia’s full – scale invasion in 2022, the illegal removal of children remains a concern.
According to Bring Kids Back UA, launched by Zelenska, nearly 20,000 children have been reported taken. However, Maksym emphasizes that “each case needs individual verification because Russia blocks access, hides information, and often changes children’s identities.”
So far, he said, “Ukraine has fully verified 9,221 cases,” but thousands more are still unaccounted for.
One example of Russia’s coercive system, he said, is the case of Bohdan Yermokhin, whose experience Ukrainian officials have detailed.
“One case that shows both the cruelty of this crime and the resilience of these children is this story.”
After being [unnamed event], “he was pressured to give up his Ukrainian identity and was exposed to propaganda aimed at changing his view of his own country.”
His ordeal highlights what Maksym said is Russia’s deliberate “abduction of Ukrainian children as part of a strategy to erase their identity and turn them into something they’re not.”
“Russia is spending billions on systems to militarize and indoctrinate these children instead of returning them,” Maksym claimed.
“Ukraine’s position is clear. Every abducted child must be returned unconditionally. There can be no peace as long as even one child remains in Russia’s custody,” he said. “War has robbed them of their childhood. Children are living with bombings, displacement, fear, and the loss of everything they’re familiar with. This is pre – meditated. It’s systematic, and it’s aimed at Ukraine’s future.”