Egypt Daily News – In an unexpected twist of international sentiment, former U.S. First Lady Melania Trump has become a surprising figure of admiration among Ukrainians. Dubbed “Agent Melania Trumpenko,” she is being celebrated across Ukrainian social media as a quiet force of resistance, an unlikely ally whose private influence may be shaping her husband’s stance toward Russia.
The nickname, laced with Slavic style and spy-thriller humor, gained momentum after reports emerged of Melania’s candid critiques of Russian President Vladimir Putin during private conversations with her husband. During a recent meeting in the Oval Office, Donald Trump reportedly shared with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that Melania had challenged his upbeat assessments of talks with Putin.
“I come home and say to the First Lady, ‘I spoke to Vladimir today. We had a wonderful conversation,’” Trump recalled. “And she replies, ‘Really? Another city just got hit.’”
The exchange, widely reported in the press, has sparked speculation that Melania’s skeptical perspective may be nudging Trump toward a harder line on Russia—marking a shift from his earlier promises to end the war in Ukraine through direct dialogue with Putin, a pledge that remains unfulfilled.
Melania’s consistent stance on Ukraine is not new. Born in Slovenia and raised in the former Yugoslavia, she has at times diverged from her husband’s views on international affairs. When Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, she publicly voiced support for Ukraine and encouraged donations to relief organizations, calling the violence “heartbreaking and horrible.”
Now, three years later, and back in the White House, Melania has maintained a low public profile. Yet according to recent accounts, her private words continue to carry weight behind closed doors. In Kyiv and beyond, her position has not gone unnoticed.
A viral meme circulating online shows Melania dressed in a blazer bearing Ukraine’s national trident symbol, her hat pulled low like a character in a spy novel. The image is captioned: “Agent Melania Trumpenko.” Satirical on its face, the meme reflects genuine gratitude and admiration from many Ukrainians.
Following the U.S. decision to send Patriot missile systems and additional military aid to Ukraine, Business in Ukraine magazine noted the surge of appreciation, writing, “Tonight there is a lot of affection on social media for Melania Trump.”
While Washington’s official messaging on Russia continues to shift, Melania’s quiet opposition to Putin has added a new dimension to the U.S. political landscape. Whether she is truly influencing policy remains unclear. But in the eyes of many Ukrainians, she has already earned an unofficial title: not just First Lady of the United States, but a steadfast symbol of solidarity and resolve.
