Melania Trump Announces Local Ceasefire in Oleshky for Civilian Evacuation

US First Lady Melania Trump has announced the conclusion of a local ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in occupied Oleshky — a frontline city in Kherson region where nearly 2,000 civilians remain amid acute shortages of food, medicine, and clean water.

According to an official White House statement, the temporary cessation of hostilities is to take effect on October 29. Its purpose is to deliver humanitarian aid and organize evacuation through a special secure corridor. The White House characterized Melania Trump's role as an "exclusive mediator" in coordinating the objectives, procedures, and terms of the agreement.

"The situation in Oleshky is catastrophic. Oleshky is a frontline city on the brink of disaster," the First Lady said. According to her, the remaining residents — predominantly elderly — urgently need medical assistance; they live under conditions of mined roads and regular military strikes with minimal electricity supply.

David Arakhamia, head of the Servant of the People faction in the Verkhovna Rada, confirmed that the operation to unblock Oleshky and surrounding settlements will begin shortly, and thanked Melania Trump for her participation in the negotiations. Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada's authorized representative on human rights who led the Ukrainian negotiating team, outlined three priorities: a ceasefire regime, delivery of humanitarian cargo, and ensuring safe passage of the civilian population, describing the implementation of the agreement as "extremely complex" and phased.

The Kremlin welcomed the humanitarian initiative: spokesman Dmitry Peskov highly praised the First Lady's contribution to reaching the agreement, according to AFP.