First lady Melania Trump secured a temporary ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the Russian-controlled city of Oleshky, the White House said on Friday.
The localized pause in fighting is set to begin on October 29. Both nations agreed to temporarily stop all military action in Oleshky to allow humanitarian aid to enter and to prepare a civilian evacuation through a designated safe passageway, according to a White House statement.
Oleshky, occupied by Russian forces since February 2022, faces severe hardship. About 90 percent of the city flooded after the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam. The remaining population of roughly 1,700 to 2,000 people consists primarily of elderly residents, along with about 50 children.
Melania Trump described the situation in clear terms. “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,” she said.
“The people of Oleshky have limited electricity, live amid mined roads, and endure regular military attacks. It was abundantly clear that without my intervention, the possibility to bring humanitarian aid into the city and to evacuate the elderly would be impossible.”
Melania Trump and her representative worked directly with Russian and Ukrainian leadership to define the terms of the localized ceasefire. She initiated the talks and coordinated the objectives, technical procedures, timelines, processes, and conditions.
Under the deal, non-military civilian leaders from both countries will visit residents in their homes and determine the assistance they require. Residents who wish to evacuate will receive coordinated support and transportation to their preferred destination.
“I anticipate some will want to go to Russia, and some to Ukraine,” Melania Trump said. An unnamed American media organization will accompany the teams to document the process.
Neither the Russian nor Ukrainian governments issued an immediate public confirmation of the agreement.
