The White House said Friday that first lady Melania Trump had secured a temporary, localized cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine in the Ukrainian city of Oleshky, under which both countries agreed to stop military action in the city.3,4,5,6
The White House said the arrangement is meant to let humanitarian aid reach the city and allow residents to leave. It also said the first lady worked closely with Ukrainian and Russian leaders to reach the agreement, and it described Oleshky as a front-line war city.3,4,5,6
Oleshky is a Ukrainian city that Russia captured early in the war. The reports described the city in different terms, with The Hill calling it a front-line city, MSNBC calling it a Russian-occupied town and PBS NewsHour noting the early capture.3,4,6
In the press release, the first lady described conditions in the city in stark terms. "The situation in Oleshky is dire. Oleshky is a front-line war city on the brink of disaster." The statement said the city's remaining population is comprised primarily of elderly residents who urgently need medical attention.5
Under the terms described, both nations agreed to temporarily stop all military action in the city "to allow for humanitarian aid to enter," and to allow a civilian evacuation. The reports did not say how many residents remain in Oleshky or how many might be evacuated.4,5,6
The start date was described differently. The Hill reported that the cease-fire will begin Thursday, while PBS NewsHour said it is set to begin next week.4,6
President Donald Trump told reporters on Friday that the effort was the first lady's initiative. "What she wants to do is save children. And that's her focus. And both sides are cooperating with her, so doing a very good job." Trump also praised the first lady as "better than professionals."6,7
Officials on both sides welcomed the agreement.6
The cease-fire comes amid other developments in the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his military's access to Starlink satellite systems is still being interrupted, despite U.S. assurances that it is running again at full speed. "This is a real problem for us because the Russians attack us almost every day," he said.6
The New York Post reported that Melania Trump hinted she could go to Ukraine to see the cease-fire in action, and that she thanked the Pope for his "support." The reports did not say whether such a trip would take place, or when.1
Zelenskyy also said negotiators from the U.S., Ukraine and Russia have agreed to hold technical level talks in Abu Dhabi in early November. Those talks would not involve political leaders, and the reports did not say whether they would address Oleshky.6
