WASHINGTON

 US first lady Melania Trump said Friday she has maintained direct communication with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the fate of Ukrainian children displaced by the ongoing war, and eight children have been reunited in the last 24 hours.

"Much has unfolded since 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.

"And since then, President Putin and I have had an open channel of communication regarding the welfare of these children," Melania Trump said at the White House.

The first lady said her representative has been working directly with Putin's team to ensure the safe reunification of children with their families between Russia and Ukraine.

"In fact, eight children have been rejoined with their families during the past 24 hours," she said.

Russia has "agreed to rejoin the individuals who have turned 18 within a short period of time," she stressed.

"This remains an ongoing effort plans are already underway to reunify more children in the immediate future, I hope peace will come soon, it can begin with our children."

In August, President Donald Trump personally delivered the first lady's "peace letter" to Putin when the two met in Alaska.

"For the past three months, both sides have participated in several back channel meetings and calls, all in good faith,” the first lady said. “We have agreed to cooperate with each other for the benefit of all people involved in this work."

Following Melania's letter, Olena Zelenska, the wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, thanked the first lady for bringing awareness to the country’s ongoing crisis.