The key facts
- Melania Trump was awarded the Order of Princess Olga, First Class — the highest class of Ukraine's state award for women
- The First Lady's adviser Mark Beckman received the 'Golden Heart' distinction
- The award took place ahead of the meeting between Russian and Ukrainian delegations at the White House on November 5
Decree on the award
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has awarded US First Lady Melania Trump the Order of Princess Olga, First Class. The decree was published on the official website of the head of the Ukrainian state, as reported by Life.ru. The document cites the award as recognition of her 'significant personal contribution to humanitarian support for Ukraine, active human rights and charitable activities,' as well as her participation in efforts to return children.
Award for the adviser and the status of the order
The First Lady's adviser Mark Beckman was also recognized: he received the 'Golden Heart' distinction for his personal contribution to providing humanitarian aid to Ukrainians and for facilitating the evacuation of civilians from territories not controlled by Kyiv. In Ukraine, the Order of Princess Olga is awarded to women for merits in state, public, scientific, educational, cultural and charitable activities; it has three classes, the first being the highest.
Context: the return of children and the upcoming meeting
The award came on the eve of a meeting that Melania Trump is holding at the White House on November 5 with the participation of representatives of Russia and Ukraine. Earlier, according to Life.ru, Vladimir Putin, in a phone call with Donald Trump, thanked the US First Lady for her help in reuniting children with their families. According to the office of the Russian children's ombudsman, by mid-August 2026, with her assistance, 34 children had been reunited with relatives in Russia, Ukraine and third countries.
