Ceasefire secured in Oleshky
U.S. first lady Melania Trump has secured a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the Russian-controlled city of Oleshky, which will begin on October 29, reports BritPanorama.
Residents of the southern Ukrainian town, occupied by Russian forces since February 2022, have reported a deepening food crisis.
“Both nations agreed to temporarily stop all military action in Oleshky to allow for humanitarian aid to enter and to prepare a civilian evacuation through a designated safe passageway,” a White House statement said.
This development coincides with President Donald Trump’s ongoing pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reach an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war, which began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022.
Melania Trump has also been active in efforts to return Ukrainian children seized by Russia during the conflict to their families.
“The situation in Oleshky is dire. Oleshky is a front-line war city on the brink of disaster. Oleshky’s remaining population is comprised primarily of elderly residents who urgently need medical attention, medicine, food, and clean water,” Melania Trump stated.
The ceasefire will facilitate non-military teams from both countries to visit residents in their homes and coordinate transportation for those wishing to evacuate to either Russia or Ukraine, with an unnamed American media organization accompanying the teams to document the process.
Newsmax, a right-leaning news outlet, reported that its cameras would be granted “exclusive access to document the effort.”
Oleshky, located across the Dnipro River from Kherson, has a remaining population of 1,700 to 2,000 people—primarily elderly residents, along with about 50 children—down from roughly 24,000 before the war. About 90% of the city was flooded following the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, according to the White House.
Melania Trump and her representative worked directly with Russian and Ukrainian leadership to define the ceasefire’s terms.
“Residents who wish to evacuate will receive coordinated support and transportation to their preferred destination. I anticipate some will want to go to Russia, and some to Ukraine,” Melania Trump said.
