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Melania Trump secures localised ceasefire in Ukrainian city Oleshky

Summarised from 6 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 15:16 · Archive

The White House says First Lady Melania Trump has secured a localised ceasefire in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky to allow humanitarian aid and evacuations.

The White House announced on Friday that First Lady Melania Trump has brokered a localised ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the southern Ukrainian city of Oleshky, to take effect on 29 October. The ceasefire aims to allow humanitarian aid to enter the city and enable the evacuation of civilians through a designated safe passageway. Neither Russia nor Ukraine has publicly confirmed the announcement.

Oleshky lies on the Dnipro River in the Kherson region and was captured by Russian forces on the first day of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The city has been heavily affected by the conflict, with its population falling from around 24,000 before the war to an estimated 1,700 to 2,000 residents, including approximately 50 children.

In a statement released by the White House, Melania Trump described the situation in Oleshky as dire. "Oleshky is a front-line war city on the brink of disaster," she said. "Oleshky's remaining population is comprised primarily of elderly residents who urgently need medical attention, medicine, food, and clean water. The people of Oleshky have limited electricity, live amid mined roads, and endure regular military attacks."

Trump claimed that her intervention was necessary to make aid delivery and evacuation possible. "It was abundantly clear that without my intervention, the possibility to bring humanitarian aid into the city and to evacuate the elderly would be impossible," she said. According to her office, she worked "directly with Russian and Ukrainian leadership to define the terms of the localised ceasefire" in her formal role as Exclusive Intermediary.

Under the ceasefire agreement, both nations have agreed to temporarily halt all military action in Oleshky. Non-military civilian leaders from both countries will visit residents to determine what assistance they require. Residents wishing to leave will receive support and transportation to their preferred destination. Trump said she anticipated "some will want to go to Russia, and some to Ukraine."

Trump also said her office has secured an impartial American media organisation to accompany and document Russian and Ukrainian teams on the ground throughout the process. The first lady's office said this is an unusual announcement for a first lady's position, as such diplomatic negotiations are typically handled by the president or senior officials. CBS News noted that Russia and Ukraine have not commented on the announcement.

Melania Trump secures localised ceasefire in Ukrainian city Oleshky
Image: The Mirror

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In this story: Melania Trump · Donald Trump · Russia · Ukraine · Oleshky · Kherson region · United States

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