UNWLA to Melania Trump: Lead task force to bring Ukraine’s stolen children home

The Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA), the oldest and largest Ukrainian women’s organization in the U.S., has called on First Lady Melania Trump to take the lead in an urgent international effort to repatriate tens of thousands of Ukrainian children whom Russia has abducted. 

In an open letter, it has expressed gratitude to the First Lady for her efforts to protect children worldwide, particularly for her recent letter to Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin, in which she emphasized the importance of safeguarding children during wartime.

“Children caught in the crossfire of war, endure profound loss, displacement and deep trauma. Your commitment as an advocate for the welfare of all these children is admirable and inspiring,” the letter reads.

For context, on Aug. 15, during a meeting in Alaska, U.S. President Donald Trump personally delivered a letter from his wife Melania to Vladimir Putin.

The UNWLA also felt its duty to draw Mrs. Trump’s attention to “the abduction by Russia of tens of thousands of children from Ukraine.”

“These abducted children are then taken to Russia and Belarus, their identities erased so that they cannot be found. This violation of international law requires urgent action,” the letter reads.

The organization urged the First Lady to use her influence to raise awareness about the situation facing Ukrainian children. It also proposed the creation of a White House task force to facilitate the return of Ukrainian children, in cooperation with Ukraine’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska.

“As mothers, and as everyone who has had a mother, we all understand the urgent need for compassion and action in the face of these challenges,” the letter reads.

The League said that it looks forward to hearing a response “to our request for the establishment of a White House Task Force to Return Ukraine’s Children.”