Moscow, Russia – The Russian Foreign Ministry accused the United States of seeking to undermine bilateral relations by attempting to designate Russia as a “state sponsor of terrorism.” It noted that the move threatens joint humanitarian initiatives. These initiatives include the reunification of families and children affected by the conflict in Ukraine, championed by US First Lady Melania Trump.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement published on the ministry’s website that the US legislative initiative represents “an attempt to undermine the ongoing dialogue between Moscow and Washington.” She emphasized that this includes reuniting children who lost contact with their families for various reasons during the conflict in Ukraine.
Zakharova added that Melania Trump “recently joined this humanitarian operation.” She emphasized that Russia “is willing to provide objective and detailed information about the children in question.” This came in reference to ongoing Russian-American efforts to address the issue of children separated from their families.
Humanitarian cooperation despite differences
Zakharova explained that direct communication between Moscow and Washington “will not only facilitate reunification processes,” but will also help the international community gain a clearer understanding of the situation, free from media disinformation.
She stated that cooperation between the two sides resulted, on October 11, in the reunification of seven minors with their families in Ukraine. A Ukrainian girl was also returned to her relatives in Russia. She noted that these humanitarian successes “confirm the value of direct dialogue, free from politicization.”
Mutual accusations and media distortion
The Russian spokeswoman accused the Kyiv regime and its Western sponsors of continuing an “anti-Russian smear campaign” around the so-called “child issue.” She asserted that these parties “seek to cement Russia’s image internationally as a ‘criminal,’ ‘terrorist,’ and ‘child kidnapper.'”
She added that “multiple formats, platforms, and alliances are being created to promote false narratives about Russia,” considering this “part of a coordinated political campaign to justify sanctions and international isolation against Moscow.”
Official figures
Zakharova revealed that 122 children from 98 families were reunited with their families residing in Ukraine or third countries. Meanwhile, 29 children from 21 families returned to Russia from Ukraine.
She confirmed that the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is supervising the reunification operations and ensuring the safety of the children during their transfer to their families or relatives.
This new diplomatic escalation comes amid deteriorating Russian-American relations over the war in Ukraine and Western sanctions imposed on Moscow.
The Russian Foreign Ministry believes that US moves in Congress to designate Russia as a “state sponsor of terrorism” not only threaten the political process, but also extend to sensitive humanitarian issues that affect the lives of dozens of families affected by the conflict.
