WASHINGTON — U.S. first lady Melania Trump has secured a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the Russian-controlled city of Oleshky, the White House said on Friday, announcing that both nations will temporarily stop all military action there beginning October 29.
"Both nations agreed to temporarily stop all military action in Oleshky to allow for humanitarian aid to enter and to prepare a civilian evacuation through a designated safe passageway," a White House statement said. Non-military teams from both countries will visit residents in their homes and coordinate transportation for those who wish to evacuate to either Russia or Ukraine, while an American media organization accompanies the teams to document the process. Newsmax said in a report that its cameras would be granted "exclusive access to document the effort."
Residents of the southern Ukrainian town, which has been occupied by Russian forces since February 2022, have reported a deepening food crisis. "The situation in Oleshky is dire. Oleshky is a front-line war city on the brink of disaster," Melania Trump said in the statement. "Oleshky's remaining population is comprised primarily of elderly residents who urgently need medical attention, medicine, food, and clean water."
The development comes as President Donald Trump pressures Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reach an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war, which began when Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The first lady has been active in trying to get Ukrainian children seized by Russia during the war returned to their families.
Update — October 27, 2026
The ceasefire took effect on Tuesday, October 27, two days ahead of the October 29 date announced on Friday. It took effect at 3 a.m. Kyiv time, or 4:00 a.m. Moscow time, and its geographic area has expanded beyond Oleshky, within the Kherson region. Russian General Staff chief Valery Gerasimov has confirmed the pause, and both sides reported no violations so far. The pause is due to run through Saturday or longer.
Melania Trump announced the start in a post on X on Tuesday:
THE CEASEFIRE HAS COMMENCED
The ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia took effect at 4:00am Moscow time on October 27, 2026.
Timing was accelerated two days ahead of schedule to protect the safety of civilians and to facilitate the delivery of critical humanitarian aid. The ceasefire's geographic area has expanded beyond Oleshky, within the Kherson Region, to provide safe passage for the humanitarian convoys.
General Valery Gerasimov, Joint Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces has confirmed.
