Melania Trump Announces Local Ceasefire in Oleshky Between Russia and Ukraine

Washington: US First Lady Melania Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a temporary, localised ceasefire in Oleshky, a Russian-occupied city in southern Ukraine. According to the White House, the truce will begin on October 29 to allow humanitarian aid into the city and prepare the safe evacuation of civilians.
Melania Trump said Oleshky is a front-line city facing a severe humanitarian crisis, where remaining residents urgently need medical care, medicines, food, and clean water. She said that without the agreement, delivering aid and evacuating elderly residents would have been nearly impossible.
The White House said the first lady and her representatives worked directly with Russian and Ukrainian leadership to agree on the terms. Under the arrangement, civilian representatives from both countries will visit residents at home to assess their needs, while those who choose to leave will receive coordinated transport to their preferred destination in either Russia or Ukraine.
There was initially some uncertainty over the start date: the White House said October 29, while Ukraine’s military command and Russia’s general staff indicated that the ceasefire would begin on October 27. The Kremlin confirmed the agreement but said military officials were still coordinating the exact timing of the humanitarian operation.
Oleshky has been under Russian occupation since February 2022. The first lady’s office estimates that between 1,700 and 2,000 residents remain there, and Ukrainian officials said the deal could establish lasting humanitarian corridors and serve as a model for future aid missions.