This week, Ukrainians took to social media to express their appreciation for First Lady Melania Trump following remarks made by President Donald Trump about her strong stance towards Russia and her updates on attacks against Ukrainian civilians.
During a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Latte on Monday, Trump declared a shift in Ukraine policy aimed at countering Russia’s ongoing invasion. He mentioned that the White House would facilitate increased access to American weapons for Ukraine and indicated that European countries would bear costs, naming Vladimir Putin as the ultimate target. Notably, he suggested that some of Russia’s main trading partners, like China, India, and Türkiye, could play a significant role in influencing its policies.
Trump voiced discontent regarding Putin’s consistently courteous demeanor during their conversations, which, he felt, lacked substantive follow-up actions.
“I talk to Putin a lot,” Trump remarked. He recalled telling the First Lady, “You know, I spoke with Vladimir today. We had a good talk.” Her response was, “Oh, really? Another city just got attacked.”
Just a week prior, Trump had criticized his administration for what he called “the numerous challenges” posed by President Putin, referring to him as “always very nice,” but highlighting that such interactions often resulted in “meaningless” dialogue.
In light of Trump’s acknowledgment of Melania’s influence, Ukrainians and Ukrainian Americans shared their support online. Many humorously suggested she might be a secret ally for Ukraine, while others pointed to her Slavic heritage as a way for her to understand Russia’s foreign policy better. A Ukrainian news outlet shared insights into her background, highlighting her upbringing in Slovenia and her admiration for figures like Ronald Reagan. A Ukrainian community group in the U.S. even expressed gratitude to the First Lady.
The UK’s Guardian reported a significant amount of online love for Melania following Trump’s comments, with social media featuring animations that showed Ukrainian cartoon soldiers welcoming her into their ranks. Some users even proposed her name for a Nobel Peace Prize.
Comments on social media referred to her as a “hero,” resonating with followers who appreciated her concerns.
The New York Post echoed this sentiment, noting her ties to Eastern Europe and the empathy she seemingly holds for those affected by the war.
“She is against the war. She doesn’t want Slavic lives to be lost and actually wants to help,” remarked a civilian named Sergei Tarta, expressing a belief that her background offers her a deeper understanding.
Despite being relatively quiet on international matters, the First Lady did take to social media early in the invasion to show her support for Ukrainians. In late February 2022, shortly after the invasion began, she described the situation as “painful and terrifying” and urged her followers to donate to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
During that time, she also recognized International Women’s Day with a special message aimed at Ukrainian women, stating, “It’s heartbreaking to see Ukrainian women and children suffering… I call on all women worldwide to support Ukrainians this International Women’s Day.”
When reporters sought clarification from President Trump regarding Melania’s views and their impact on his policies, he described her as “very smart” and reflected that she, like him, wished for an end to the loss of lives.
“She’s very smart. She’s very neutral. She’s like me,” he stated.
Last month, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to intensifying actions against the Russian regime, labeling the ongoing situation as a priority for his administration.
“I thought he was sincere, but he speaks beautifully and then bombs people at night. We’re not on board with that,” Trump shared last week.
NATO leader Latte added context to how Moscow’s actions frustrated Ukraine and its allies, reflecting on an earlier set of negotiations where Putin seemed more focused on historical narratives rather than addressing the current issues at hand.
“He didn’t send serious people to the negotiations… I remember being in Turkey in May during NATO discussions. We urged Ukrainians to send their top officials,” Latte recounted.
