In brief
In a surprising diplomatic act, former U.S. first lady Melania Trump brokered a two‑day truce in the Russian‑occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky. The ceasefire, confirmed by Ukrainian officials, allows humanitarian aid to enter and civilians to be evacuated from a region that has suffered acute shortages. The agreement marks the first concrete step toward stabilising life behind the front line, though broader conflict remains.
Melania Trump secures a brief ceasefire in Oleshky
In a surprising diplomatic move, the former U.S. first lady announced a truce in the Russian‑occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky, a week after it was seized in February 2022.
The halt, announced at 04:00 Moscow time on Thursday, allows humanitarian aid to reach the city and permits civilians to be evacuated. The ceasefire was confirmed by Ukraine’s parliamentary commissioner for human rights, Dmytro Lubinets, who said the Ukrainian side is honoring its commitments.
Oleshky sits on the south bank of the Dnipro River, directly across from the Ukrainian city of Kherson. The region has suffered from acute shortages of food and essential supplies, with the population falling from about 24,000 to roughly 6,000 residents and 200 children.
While the White House said the truce was brokered by Trump, she explained that "non-military, civilian leaders from both countries will work together to visit Oleshky residents in their homes and determine the level of assistance they require."
The aid operation could mark a first concrete step toward stabilising life behind the front lines, even as the conflict spills beyond Ukraine’s borders.
