President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky awarded U.S. First Lady Melania Trump with the Order of Princess Olga, 1st class, for her humanitarian support of Ukraine and contribution to rescuing Ukrainian children and civilians affected by Russian aggression. The award was given against the backdrop of her involvement in organizing a humanitarian mission in occupied Oleshky and systematic work on returning children separated from their families due to the war.
The corresponding decree No. 1079/2026 is dated November 2 and was published on the president's website on November 4.
The document states that Melania Trump was awarded for her significant personal contribution to humanitarian support of Ukraine, active human rights and charitable activities aimed at rescuing Ukrainian children and citizens affected by Russian aggression, including those illegally deported and forcibly displaced from the temporarily occupied territories.
One of the directions of Melania Trump's humanitarian activities is facilitating the return of Ukrainian children from Russia and the reunification of families separated by the war.
The U.S. First Lady and her representatives maintain contacts with Ukrainian and Russian sides to organize such returns. During 2025-2026, several separate humanitarian operations took place with her participation.
In particular, in April 2026, the White House reported organizing the return of six Ukrainian children from Russia to their families in Ukraine. At that time, the American side also announced the return of another child.
In October, the White House noted that since the start of the corresponding humanitarian initiative, six stages of family reunification for a total of 34 children separated due to the Russian-Ukrainian war had taken place with Melania Trump's assistance. This figure covers humanitarian cases reported by the American side, not only children illegally deported from Ukraine.
Another important direction was the organization of a humanitarian mission in temporarily occupied Oleshky, Kherson region.
On October 23, the White House announced that through Melania Trump's mediation, Ukraine and Russia agreed on a local ceasefire necessary for delivering humanitarian aid and evacuating the civilian population.
According to the American administration, the U.S. First Lady and her representative participated in agreeing on the terms of the humanitarian operation with the leadership of both states. It was about determining safe routes, coordinating humanitarian groups, and organizing the evacuation of residents.
The ceasefire regime in the Oleshky area was in effect from October 27 to November 1.
After its completion, Melania Trump stated that the humanitarian mission allowed delivering necessary aid to the city and evacuating almost 800 people.
At the same time, the Ukrainian General Staff reported that Russian troops used the ceasefire period for rotating units, fortifying positions, and strengthening military logistics in the Oleshky area.
Thus, Melania Trump's state award is connected not only with the recent humanitarian operation in the Kherson region but also with the U.S. First Lady's long-standing participation in international efforts to return Ukrainian children and help people affected by Russian aggression.
Sources: President of Ukraine website, White House - children's return, White House - humanitarian mission in Oleshky
