U.S.​ First Lady Melania Trump said Friday she had‌ been​ communicating with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the fate of children abducted‌ by Russia in the Ukraine war.

In an announcement at the White House, the 55-year-old said eight children‌ had been reunited with ​their ‌families in the past 24 hours following negotiations between her team and Putin’s.

Melania Trump said that Putin had responded to a ⁣letter she sent via her husband,President Donald Trump,at a summit ‌in Alaska in ⁤August ​that or⁢ else failed to provide a breakthrough in ending russia’s invasion.

“Much has unfolded⁤ as President Putin received my‍ letter last August. He responded in writing signaling a willingness to engage with​ me​ directly and outlining details regarding ‌the Ukrainian children residing in Russia,” she told reporters.

“Since then, President putin and I have had an open channel of dialog regarding the welfare of these children.”

The ⁢Slovenian-born former model said that both sides had also had “several⁤ back channel meetings and calls, all in good faith.”

“my representative has⁢ been working directly with President Putin’s team to⁢ ensure ​the safe reunification of children with their families between ⁢Russia and Ukraine,” she said.

“In fact, eight children have been rejoined with their families during⁢ the past 24‌ hours,” adding​ that one of ⁣them had ⁣been displaced by fighting and was returning from ‍Ukraine to Russia.