Melania Trump secures ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in Oleshky for humanitarian aid
Updated 3:12 p.m. ET: Russia and Ukraine both confirmed the localized Oleshky ceasefire on Friday, CNN reported, citing officials from both countries. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov praised Melania Trump’s “significant contribution” and said the topic was discussed in a recent call between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. The start dates differ: the White House stands by October 29, while the Russian Defense Ministry said its troops would halt fire at 1 a.m. GMT on Tuesday, October 27. Ukrainian negotiator David Arakhamia said the humanitarian operation would follow the ceasefire and described the agreement as the product of lengthy negotiations involving the First Lady and Pope Leo.
U.S. First Lady Melania Trump has secured a localized ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the city of Oleshky, the White House announced on Friday. Both nations agreed to temporarily halt all military action in the city to allow humanitarian aid to enter and to prepare a civilian evacuation through a designated safe passageway.
The ceasefire will take effect on October 29, 2026, according to the official statement from the Office of the First Lady. Melania Trump and her representative worked directly with Russian and Ukrainian leadership to define the terms of the agreement, with the First Lady acting in her formal role as "Exclusive Intermediary."
"The situation in Oleshky is dire. Oleshky is a front-line war city on the brink of disaster. Oleshky's remaining population is comprised primarily of elderly residents who urgently need medical attention, medicine, food, and clean water," the First Lady said.
Non-military, civilian leaders from both countries will work together to visit residents in their homes and determine the assistance they need; those who wish to evacuate will receive coordinated support and transportation to their preferred destination. An impartial American media organization will also accompany and document the Russian and Ukrainian teams on the ground.
Oleshky is located in southern Ukraine, across the Dnipro River from Kherson. Before the war, roughly 24,000 people lived there; today an estimated 1,700 to 2,000 residents remain, mostly elderly people along with about 50 children. Following the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, approximately 90 percent of the city's territory was flooded.
The First Lady's interest in the case arose during her "Fostering the Future Together" event in New York during the 81st United Nations General Assembly, and she leveraged the communication channel she had established with both nations through the reunification of 34 children with their families.
Photo: A Lo Claro Archive
Source: The White House and Reuters and CNN.