US President Donald Trump has credited First Lady Melania Trump with influencing his decision to increase support for Ukraine and take a harder stance against Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Speaking about his recent conversations with Putin regarding a potential peace deal, Trump revealed that Melania quickly pointed out Moscow’s continued aggression. “I go home and tell the First Lady, ‘I spoke to Vladimir today. We had a wonderful conversation.’ She says, ‘Oh, really? Another city was just hit,’” Trump said, referencing Russia’s ongoing attacks on Ukrainian cities.
The president made the remarks during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, where he announced plans to ramp up military aid to Ukraine. Trump pledged to send billions of dollars’ worth of weapons through NATO and warned of 100% tariffs on Russian goods if Putin doesn’t accept a US-backed ceasefire within 50 days.
Despite diplomatic talks, the Kremlin has continued drone and missile strikes across Ukraine. In response, NATO allies have stepped up pressure, warning Russia’s trading partners of consequences tied to the new sanctions.
Melania, originally from Slovenia—a country with historically cool relations with Moscow—has not publicly addressed the war until now. Her homeland, an EU member that gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, saw its consulate in Kharkiv destroyed by a Russian airstrike early in the conflict.
Trump’s acknowledgment of the First Lady’s influence has been welcomed by Ukraine supporters, who have praised her as a surprising voice against Russian aggression. Over the weekend, Melania appeared alongside the president at the FIFA Club World Cup final in New Jersey, making a rare public appearance.
Meanwhile, the US is preparing to send advanced systems like the Patriot missile defense to Ukraine—a move analysts believe could significantly shift the battlefield if Russia continues its offensive.
