Melania Trump Attacked in Russian State Media

 

Melania Trump Called a “Danger to Russia” by Kremlin Media Amid Speculation Over Her Role in Ukraine Policy

Russian media outlets are taking a surprising turn—shifting their attention from President Donald Trump to his wife, Melania Trump, as speculation grows about her influence on U.S. policy toward Ukraine.

In an op-ed published by the pro-Kremlin newspaper Vzglyad, the first lady was referred to as a “danger to Russia” and mockingly nicknamed “Melania Trumpenko.” The article criticized her alleged role in shaping Trump’s Ukraine policy, claiming she may be influencing his decisions to send more weapons to Kyiv and take a tougher line against Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“It would be better for him to buy her shoes than to sell Patriots to Kyiv,” the paper stated, referencing Trump’s recent comments about supplying Patriot missile defense systems to Ukraine. The article went on to suggest that Melania, once the subject of rumors that she was a Kremlin ally, has now become a symbol of Ukrainian resistance.

According to the piece, Trump had told reporters that his wife frequently brought up the war, sometimes noting that Ukrainian cities were being bombed just after he had spoken with Putin. That anecdote has become a focal point for Russian state media, which now portrays Melania as a possible influence on Trump’s more assertive stance toward Moscow.

Russian state television has also joined the criticism. On the popular political talk show 60 Minutes, anchor Olga Skabeyeva sarcastically referred to Melania as a “Ukrainian agent,” even showing years-old modeling photos of the first lady to mock her. Skabeyeva cited U.K. media reports suggesting Melania may be quietly shaping her husband’s foreign policy, especially in relation to Russia.

One guest on the show, Moscow-based political scientist Malek Dudakov, dismissed Melania’s role, suggesting the couple had “marital problems” and that they “don’t even live together.” This echoes controversial claims made in the past by author Michael Wolff, which the White House has strongly denied, calling them “blatant lies and fabrications.”

Still, Vzglyad doubled down, writing:

“Melania Trumpenko’s danger to Russia is underestimated… One way or another, Melania is now a symbol of new hope for Ukrainians.”

This pivot in Russian rhetoric reflects a broader shift. Kremlin-backed outlets that once celebrated Trump as a potential ally have grown more critical in recent weeks, especially after his statements pledging more U.S. military support to Ukraine through NATO channels. Trump’s public acknowledgment that his wife often confronts him about the ongoing violence has become a notable talking point.

Despite Trump’s renewed support for Ukraine’s defense, peace talks remain unlikely, as Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to insist on maximalist demands, and Russian forces maintain heavy bombardments of Ukrainian cities.