In an unusual diplomatic gesture, US First Lady Melania Trump drafted a letter calling for peace, which President Donald Trump handed personally to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting in Alaska on Friday.
President Putin read the letter immediately after receiving it, in the presence of both delegations. The message, which avoided direct reference to Ukraine, focused on the importance of protecting children and fostering peace for future generations.
Focus on children and shared humanity
“Every child shares the same quiet dreams in their heart, whether born into a rural community or a major city. They dream of love, opportunity, and safety,” Mrs Trump wrote. She continued, “As parents, we have a duty to nurture the hopes of the next generation. As leaders, the responsibility extends further to provide an environment where children can thrive.”
The First Lady emphasised the need to safeguard children’s innocence, describing it as something that transcends “geography, government, and ideology.” She suggested that President Putin had the power to influence this, writing, “In protecting the innocence of these children, you will do more than serve Russia you serve humanity itself.”
She concluded by calling for decisive action: “Such an idea transcends division, and you, Mr Putin, are in a position to make it reality. The time has come.”
Reaction and next steps
The letter was first reported by Fox News Digital and later circulated on social media by President Trump’s supporters, including former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, who described it as a heartfelt call for peace.
Following his talks with President Putin, President Trump described the discussions as “extremely productive”, while noting that a breakthrough on ending the war was still some way off. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is due to visit Washington on Monday for further discussions.
Although the letter avoided mentioning Ukraine directly, its central theme was the protection of children, with Mrs Trump writing of their “innocence which stands above geography, government, and ideology.”
