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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Steffie Banatvala

How Melania is influencing Trump’s tougher stance on Russia

  • Melania Trump is reportedly influencing her husband's tougher stance on Russia, with the president recently deciding to deliver Patriot air missiles to Kyiv.
  • Trump has stated that Melania reminds him of the deadly toll of Russian airstrikes on Ukraine.
  • Born in 1970 in the former Yugoslavia, Melania Trump grew up with no affection for Russia and maintains European ties, speaking Slovene and holding EU passports.
  • Author Mary Jordan suggests Melania's influence stems from her background and her home country's strong pro-Ukraine sentiment.
  • While her husband initially described Putin as “savvy” and “genius” after the 2022 invasion, Melania publicly called the war “heartbreaking” and “horrific”.

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