Melania Trump Brokers Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire in Oleshky

by · Greek City Times

US First Lady Melania Trump has announced a localised ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky in southern Ukraine’s Kherson region, with the agreement set to begin on 29 October to allow humanitarian aid deliveries and preparations for civilian evacuations.

The White House said both countries had agreed to temporarily halt all military activity in the city to enable aid to reach residents and establish a designated safe passage for civilians wishing to leave.

Oleshky has been caught in fighting since Russian forces seized the city during the full-scale invasion in 2022. Former residents told AFP last month that people who remained faced severe food shortages, lacked medicine and struggled to leave.

In a statement, Trump described the situation as dire, saying the remaining population consisted mainly of elderly residents who urgently needed medical care, medicine, food and clean water. She also cited limited electricity, mined roads and continuing military attacks.

Read more: Marco Rubio Says Greece Deserves Strong US Ambassador

Trump said she believed humanitarian assistance and the evacuation of elderly residents would have been impossible without her intervention.

White House outlines Trump’s role in ceasefire

According to the White House, Trump first learned about conditions in Oleshky during a private discussion at her Fostering the Future Together event in New York during the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

She said she and her representative immediately used a communication channel established with Russia and Ukraine during six previous reunifications involving 34 children.

Both countries assigned teams to coordinate the arrangements, including demining, and worked on the process continuously, she said.

The White House said Trump and her representative subsequently worked directly with Russian and Ukrainian leaders to establish the terms of the localised ceasefire. It described her role as an “Exclusive Intermediary”, saying she initiated discussions and helped align both sides on the agreement’s objectives, technical procedures, timing and terms.

Civilian assistance and evacuation plans

Trump said civilian representatives from Russia and Ukraine would visit residents in their homes to assess their needs.

Residents who wish to leave will receive coordinated assistance and transport to their preferred destination. Trump said some may choose Russia, while others may prefer Ukraine.

She also said she had secured the participation of an impartial American media organisation to accompany and document Russian and Ukrainian teams on the ground throughout the process. According to Trump, the organisation’s presence would help ensure authorities respect each family’s wishes.

The ceasefire is intended to create a temporary window for humanitarian assistance and civilian evacuation in a city where residents have faced prolonged hardship. The effectiveness of the arrangement will depend on its implementation on the ground and the ability of aid and evacuation teams to operate safely.

(Source: News Limited)

Stay connected to Greek City Times for Free on Google News
Click NOW
Stay updated with the latest news from Greece and around the world on greekcitytimes.com.
Contact our newsroom to share your updates, stories, photos, or videos. Follow GCT on WhatsApp, Google News and Apple News.

Related coverage

Advertising