Melania Trump writes peace letter to Putin over Russia-Ukraine war

United States First Lady Melania Trump has written a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine.

U.S. President Donald Trump handed Putin the letter during their meeting in Alaska.

Melania, in the letter, pleaded for the Russian leader to make peace in the name of children.

The first lady’s office on Saturday, August 16, 2025, reposted a Fox News article on X containing the short letter, a day after Trump and Putin failed to find a breakthrough at their high-stakes meeting.

Putin read the “peace letter” immediately after Trump handed it to him, while delegations from both sides looked on, according to Fox News.

“In today’s world, some children are forced to carry a quiet laughter, untouched by the darkness around them,” read the letter, which was signed by Melania and did not mention Ukraine by name.

It added: “Mr Putin, you can singlehandedly restore their melodic laughter.

“In protecting the innocence of these children, you will do more than serve Russia alone – you serve humanity itself.

‘No deal until…’ Trump speaks after meeting with Putin

“Such a bold idea transcends all human division, and you, Mr Putin, are fit to implement this vision with a stroke of the pen today. It is time.”

In July, Trump had said Melania, who was born in Slovenia, had helped change his thinking about Putin.

Trump said: “I go home, I tell the first lady, ‘you know, I spoke to Vladimir today, we had a wonderful conversation.

“And she said, ‘Oh really? Another city was just hit.'”

Trump attempted a rapprochement with Putin shortly after starting his second term, having campaigned on a pledge to end the Ukraine war within 24 hours.

During the early months of his new term, he largely directed anger at Ukraine for the lack of a deal, but gradually began expressing frustration that Putin continued his attacks on Ukraine.

Before the summit in Alaska, Trump had warned of “severe consequences” if Russia did not accept a ceasefire.

However after meeting with Putin, Trump dropped his demand for a ceasefire, saying the best way to end the war “is to go directly to a peace agreement.”

Putin has long argued for negotiations on a final peace deal – a strategy that Ukraine and its European allies have criticized as a way to buy time and press Russia’s battlefield advances.

The Star