The White House has announced that US First Lady Melania Trump has secured a localised ceasefire in the Russian-controlled Ukrainian city of Oleshky. The truce, which applies to the southern city, is set to take effect on October 29.
Ceasefire Terms and Humanitarian Access
Oleshky has been occupied by Russian forces since February 2022 and is experiencing a deepening humanitarian crisis. The White House said: "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."
The First Lady described Oleshky as a "front-line war city on the brink of disaster". She said: "Oleshky's remaining population is comprised primarily of elderly residents who urgently need medical attention, medicine, food, and clean water. The people of Oleshky have limited electricity, live amid mined roads, and endure regular military attacks."
Negotiations and Media Presence
Melania and her representative worked with Russian and Ukrainian leadership to define the terms of the localised ceasefire, the White House said. She claimed that without her intervention, it would have been "impossible" to bring humanitarian aid into the city and to evacuate people.
The First Lady added that she has also secured "an impartial American media organization" to accompany and document Russian and Ukrainian teams on the ground throughout the process.
