First posted on Instagram
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.