Melania Trump reveals she’s working ‘directly’ with Putin in unexpected address to the nation about Ukrainian war

The First Lady of the United States has issued a speech in the White House after teasing an important announcement earlier today.

Taking to Instagram just hours ago (10 Oct), Melania Trump's official @firstladyoffice Instagram account shared an ominous video from her husband's Oval Office, showing a podium and a microphone.

Initially failing to issue an indication as to what the speech would be about, the upload was captioned: "First Lady Melania Trump Addresses the Nation. 10.10.25. 11AM ET. Watch Live: WH.gov."

Onlookers were quick to speculate over what she might be planning to say, with one person questioning in the comments: "Are you releasing the Epstein files?"

Meanwhile, another jibed: "Omg, Melania to become president of USA?"

Several users wondered if the mother-of-one could be set to address rumours that Republican leader Trump could be set to receive a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to deliver a ceasefire in Gaza, which he didn't end up getting.

Melania Trump addressed the nation with a speech today (X/The White House)

It turns out, however, that all guesses were wrong, and Melania's address actually centred on the Ukraine-Russia war, and the welfare of Ukrainian children who are in Russia.

For context, President of Russia Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine resulted in Russia taking Ukrainian children out of their country so that they can be raised as Russian, The Washington Post reports.

The First Lady revealed that she has been in contact and is working with Putin to co-operate on the matter.

Melania opened her speech with: "A child's soul knows no borders, no flags, we must foster a future for our children which has potential security and complete with free will. A world where dreams will be realised rather than faded by war.

"Much has unfolded since President Putin received my letter last August and he responded in writing outlining details regarding Ukrainian children presiding in Russia, and since then Putin and I have had an open channel of communication regarding the welfare of these children."

The 'peace' letter in question was hand-delivered to the Russian President at the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska in August, talking about the abductions of the children.

She continued: "For the past three months, both sides have participated in several back channel meetings and calls, and in good faith we have agreed to cooperate with each other for the benefit of all people involved in this war."

Melania confirmed that eight Ukrainian children have so far been reunited with their families amid her ongoing talks with Putin.

The First Lady said she has 'learned a lot about this matter during the past three months' and it remains an 'ongoing effort'.

She told the nation: "Plans are already underway to unify more children in the immediate future. I hope peace will come soon. It will begin with our children."

Ever since 79-year-old Trump's return to the White House back in January, Melania has been in and out of the spotlight.

By this, we mean that her appearances have been selective so far this year. On several occasions, after enjoying brief professional outings with her husband, she has immediately removed herself from public view.

This included her re-emergence in Washington, D.C. back in February for the National Governors Association dinner, after spending four weeks out of view.

In March, however, Melania hit headlines around the world for making history as the first ever First Lady to sign a legal bill - the Take It Down Act - after speaking on Capitol Hill about the importance of punishment for revenge porn crimes.

The same month, she hosted Be Best events tied to child welfare and spoke at the Senate Spouses Luncheon on supporting US youngsters when it comes to online safety.

Melania has only made a number of public appearances this year (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

In April, as well as announcing 2025 Spring Garden Tours of the White House, 55-year-old Melania also participated in the International Women of Courage Awards and attended the funeral for Pope Francis.

May then saw the First Lady speaking at the Senate Spouses Luncheon on issues tied to her Fostering the Future initiative.

Melania's summer was later made up of Congressional Picnics, a visit to the Children's National Hospital in Washington D.C., and a trip to the UK for a State Visit, where she and Trump met with King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Kate Middleton.

September also saw Melania issue an unnerving warning about the incoming threat of robots during a White House appearance.

And earlier today, Amazon MGM announced a titular documentary - directed by Brett Ratner, and executively produced by Melania - all about her life in the public eye, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the inauguration, as well as her original transition to the First Lady position in 2016.