Trump says he discussed global problem of missing children with EU’s von der Leyen

WASHINGTON

US President Donald Trump said Monday that he and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen discussed the worldwide problem of missing children, calling it “a subject at the top of all lists.”

“Ursula von der Leyen, the distinguished and Highly Respected President of the European Commission, and I have been discussing the massive Worldwide problem of missing children,” Trump wrote in a post on the American social media platform Truth Social.

“This is, likewise, a big subject with my wife, Melania. It is a subject at the top of all lists, and the World will work together to solve it, hopefully bringing them home to their families!” he added.

The post came after Trump hosted von der Leyen, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and several European leaders at the White House to discuss next steps in diplomatic efforts to end the conflict with Russia.

The focus on children followed a symbolic gesture from first lady Melania Trump, who sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin urging him to protect children worldwide.

Trump personally handed the letter to Putin during their Alaska summit Friday, according to Fox News. Putin read it in front of both delegations, it reported.

The letter opens with “Dear President Putin,” with the first lady writing that all children, regardless of where they are born, share the same dream of "love, opportunity and safety from danger."

“As parents, it is our duty to nurture the next generation’s hope. As leaders, the responsibility to sustain our children extends beyond the comfort of a few,” she wrote.

"Mr. Putin, you can singlehandedly restore their melodic laughter," she said. "In protecting the innocence of these children, you will do more than serve Russia alone—you serve humanity itself."