First Lady Melania Trump is stepping into a more visible role in global affairs. She wrote a personal letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to end the war in Ukraine for the sake of its youngest victims.
President Donald Trump discussed the letter Tuesday on Fox & Friends. He praised his wife’s compassion and her direct call for peace.
“My wife, Melania, wrote that beautiful note to President Putin about children,” Trump said. “The children are devastated. They're taken away from their homes.”
On Monday, Trump met with several top European leaders to continue peace negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was also present and brought a sealed letter from his wife addressed to the first lady.
Trump admitted he hadn’t yet read the note, but said Melania was touched by it. “She gave a letter to Melania, and Melania told me it was absolutely a beautiful letter,” he explained. Zelenskyy confirmed it was meant to thank Melania for her focus on abducted children.
Some analysts say Melania’s role may be more significant than expected. Fox News host Dana Perino, a former White House press secretary, suggested her letter to Putin likely helped push negotiations forward. “The first lady has had an influence here,” Perino said on Fox & Friends.
Trump personally delivered Melania’s note to Putin during their meeting in Alaska on Friday. While the two leaders did not finalize any peace deal, Trump said he is now working to set up a direct meeting between Zelenskyy and Putin.