US First Lady Melania Trump has helped broker a localised ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the war-hit Ukrainian city of Oleshky, the White House announced on Friday, October 23. The ceasefire is scheduled to take effect on October 29 and aims to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and the evacuation of civilians from the city.
According to the White House, the agreement will temporarily halt military action in Oleshky, allowing humanitarian assistance to reach residents and creating a designated safe passage for civilians who wish to leave the area.
Melania Trump intervenes as Oleshky faces humanitarian crisis
Announcing the development, Melania Trump highlighted the severe conditions faced by the remaining residents of Oleshky, many of whom are elderly people in urgent need of medical care, medicines, food and clean drinking water.
The First Lady said the city was on the brink of a humanitarian disaster, with residents facing limited electricity, mined roads and regular military attacks. She stressed that intervention was necessary to make humanitarian assistance and civilian evacuations possible.
Melania Trump and her representative reportedly worked directly with Russian and Ukrainian leadership to establish the terms of the localised ceasefire. The discussions covered the objectives, timing, technical procedures and implementation of the arrangement, with the First Lady acting as an intermediary.
Civilian evacuations to be coordinated by Russia and Ukraine
Under the proposed arrangement, non-military representatives from both countries will visit residents in their homes to assess their needs and determine what assistance they require. People who wish to leave Oleshky will receive coordinated support and transportation to their preferred destinations, whether in Russia or Ukraine.
Melania Trump also said an American media organisation would accompany the Russian and Ukrainian teams to document the process. The aim is to ensure that residents' preferences are respected during the assistance and evacuation operation.
The initiative follows earlier efforts by the First Lady to facilitate the reunification of children affected by the Russia-Ukraine war with their families. According to the White House, Melania and her representative used communication channels established during six previous reunification efforts involving 34 children to initiate discussions over Oleshky.
Oleshky's population falls amid Russia-Ukraine war
Located in southern Ukraine, across the Dnipro River from Kherson, Oleshky has remained on the frontline since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. The city was home to approximately 24,000 people before the war, but the White House estimates that only around 1,700 to 2,000 residents remain.
Most of those still living in the city are elderly people who have been unable to leave, alongside approximately 50 children. The population has declined as residents have been displaced or evacuated amid continued fighting and deteriorating living conditions.
The situation worsened following the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in June 2023, which caused extensive flooding in the region. According to the White House, around 90% of Oleshky's territory was flooded.
The planned ceasefire is intended to create a temporary window for humanitarian assistance and civilian evacuations in the embattled city. Its implementation will be crucial for residents facing shortages of essential supplies and the continuing dangers of living in a frontline area.
