U.S. News
Ukraine’s Child Return Crisis Could Stretch for Decades

Clear Facts
- Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska praised Melania Trump for highlighting the abduction of thousands of children by Russia.
- About 2,000 of an estimated 20,000 forcibly relocated children have been returned so far.
- The Trump administration recently authorized $25 million to help locate and bring the children home.
Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska is sounding the alarm over the thousands of children taken by Russia while praising Melania Trump for her leadership.
Zelenska said the coalition fostered by Trump is crucial for keeping international pressure on the Kremlin.
“The community that has been created by the first lady, Melania Trump, is very important,” Zelenska stated during a recent interview.
She said Trump deeply understands the gravity of the child abductions and that her involvement draws needed global attention.
“I’m very grateful to her for getting involved in this,” she added.
“She deeply understands how important this subject is, and I am sure that her involvement is very helpful, because her advocacy attracts attention.”
Reports indicate that the missing children are being held in more than 200 facilities across Russia and occupied territories.
Those programs reportedly involve forced re-education and, in some cases, military-style training for the youth.
Zelenska warned that without stronger international cooperation, it could take decades to bring every child home.
She urged more nations to join the effort to identify the whereabouts of those still missing.
“If we go as slow as this, it will take dozens of years to bring them all back,” Zelenska warned.
She accused Russia of intentionally withholding information to complicate tracking efforts.
“It’s very important that as many countries as possible join us [in the effort to find them].”
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