Address from the former First Lady of the USA
Alexander Lukashenko announced on March 20, 2026, that he received a request from Melania Trump. The former First Lady of the USA asked the Belarusian leader to assist in the return of Ukrainian children taken to Russia. According to Lukashenko, he was given a list of minors who are reportedly missing in the course of the war and may be on the territory of the Russian Federation. Lukashenko stated his readiness to discuss this list with Vladimir Putin at their meeting if Melania Trump requests it.
At the same time, the Belarusian leader expressed doubts about the reliability of the provided information. He noted:
'If Melania asks, I will convey this position to the elder brother, no question. But I will not fight for it because I do not know if these children exist, if this is true, and who provided these lists. It's not difficult for me – I will convey it, let's talk about this issue.'
Dialogue with the American side
An important context for this address were the negotiations held in Minsk by the special envoy of the US president, John Cole. During the visit, which included several meetings, the last of which took place in mid-December 2025, Washington lifted restrictions on a number of Belarusian companies and government bodies. Among them were:
- Belinvestbank
- Development Bank of Belarus
- Ministry of Finance of Belarus
- Belaruskaliy
- Belarusian Potash Company
This step indicates some improvement in the relations between Belarus and the United States, as well as openness to dialogue on pressing international issues. The issue of the deportation of children from the occupied territories of Ukraine remains one of the most painful in the context of the conflict and raises serious concern in the international community.
Lukashenko's readiness to act as a mediator in this delicate humanitarian issue underscores the complexity of the situation arising from the war. This initiative can be viewed as an attempt to find points of contact on the international stage, especially amid the warming dialogue between Minsk and Washington. However, the Belarusian leader's skepticism regarding the reliability of the lists indicates a cautious approach to such sensitive topics.
An important aspect of the upcoming dialogue between Minsk and Washington will not only be the issue of the fate of Ukrainian children but also the overall context of improving relations between the countries. To learn more about the topics that will be discussed at the meeting with Lukashenko, you can read our article about the upcoming negotiations with the USA.