Ukrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyyhand-delivered a letter from his own wife forMelania Trumpand commended the American first lady heradvocacy for childrenamid Russia's war with Ukraine. The letter came a day after it was revealed thatMelania Trump penned a letterto Russian PresidentVladimir Putinthat spoke generally about the need to protect children, andDonald Trumphand-delivered it to the Russian leader during theirAug. 15 meeting. The letter does not specifically mention Ukraine. The Ukrainian governmentestimatesthat nearly 20,000 children were unlawfully deported or transferred from Ukraine and alleges that Russia uses tactics such as "taking children from orphanages, killing parents, splitting families during filtration processes, creating unbearable living conditions in occupied areas, and brazenly kidnapping children from their homes and schools." Zelenskyy in DC:Updates on White House showdown "Many thanks to your wife, the first lady of the United States," Zelenskyy told President Trump in the Oval Office on Monday, Aug. 18. He then handed Trump a white envelope that he said contained a letter from his wife, Olena Zelenska. "It's not to you, it's to your wife," Zelenskyy said as Trump began to examine it. "I want it," Trump replied while laughing. Zelenskyy characterized Melania Trump's letter as one "about our children, abducted children," which he described as a "sensitive topic." The International Criminal Court hasindicted Putinfor the unlawful deportation and transfer of children. "In today's world, some children are forced to carry a quiet laughter, untouched by the darkness around them-- a silent defiance against the forces that can potentially claim their future,"Melania Trump wrotein her letter, which USA TODAY obtained. "Mr. Putin, you can singlehandedly restore their melodic laughter." Addressing a question from a reporter, Donald Trump said Melania Trump has a great love of children and has "watched the same things that I watched and you watched." "She hates to see something like this happening," he said. Contributing: Sarah D. Wire and Francesca Chambers, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanks Melania Trump for advocacy of children
