WASHINGTON — First lady Melania Trump announced the reunification of eight Ukrainian children with their families after they had been taken and held in Russia, stating that the progress has come as a result of months of direct communication with President Vladimir Putin starting with a letter she wrote him in August.

In a rare solo statement to the press from the White House on Friday morning, Mrs. Trump declared that “much has unfolded” since her husband, President Donald Trump, hand-delivered her letter urging the Russian government to “protec[t] the innocence of these children” to Putin while the two leaders met in Alaska.

“He responded in writing, signaling a willingness to engage with me directly and outlining details regarding the Ukrainian children residing in Russia,”

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