The Ukrainian National Women’s League of America (UNWLA) appealed to U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, thanking her for her work in protecting children’s rights worldwide and for her recent letter to russian president vladimir putin. The letter highlighted the importance of caring for children during wartime, a message that resonates strongly against the backdrop of the grave issue of mass abductions of Ukrainian children by russia from occupied territories. The UNWLA stressed that this crime against Ukraine’s future requires decisive action to bring the children home.
This was reported by UNWLA – Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, Inc.
“Children caught in the turmoil of war endure deep losses, forced displacement, and severe psychological trauma. Your dedication to protecting the well-being of these children is worthy of respect and serves as an inspiration,” the UNWLA stated in its letter.
The organization underscored the criminal actions of russia, which has abducted tens of thousands of Ukrainian children and taken them to russia and belarus, where their personal data is altered to prevent them from being found.
“This blatant violation of international law requires immediate response,” the appeal stressed.
The UNWLA called on the U.S. First Lady to use her influence to raise awareness about the situation of Ukrainian children and to initiate the creation of a White House task force for the return of Ukraine’s children. The organization proposed that Melania Trump lead this initiative together with Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska.
“As mothers, and as those who have mothers, we all understand the urgent need for compassion and action in response to these challenges. Therefore, the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, which this year marks its 100th anniversary, commits to supporting Ukrainian children. We agree that ‘the time is now’ and eagerly await your response to our request for the establishment of a White House Task Force on the return of Ukraine’s children,” the representatives of the UNWLA emphasized.
At the same time, some Ukrainians and human rights activists criticize Melania Trump’s “letter of peace” to vladimir putin, pointing out that it does not mention abducted Ukrainian children. This was noted by Kateryna Rashevska, an expert at the Regional Center for Human Rights. According to her, the Ukrainian side had hoped that the Trump family would call on the russian dictator to return the children taken from Ukraine.
“Melania Trump’s letter was very sincere in a motherly way — about the fate of children suffering from the war. Yet it contained zero words about children abducted by putin. The issue is not the letter itself, but the fact that we had high expectations — that not the U.S. president but his wife would appeal to putin to return the little Ukrainians,” explained Kateryna Rashevska.
Author: Danylo Pievchev