Melania Trump brokers Russia-Ukraine truce for besieged city, says White House
US First Lady Melania Trump has helped broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky, where thousands of residents are facing a worsening humanitarian crisis, the BBC reported, citing a White House statement.
The truce is scheduled to take effect on October 27, with the White House saying the agreement would begin on October 29. Ukraine and Russia have confirmed the deal, which is intended to facilitate the evacuation of residents and the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
The White House said Melania Trump and a representative had worked directly with Russian and Ukrainian leaders to establish the terms of the localised ceasefire in the frontline city, which it described as being “on the brink of disaster”.
The statement did not specify how long the ceasefire would remain in effect.
“Residents who wish to evacuate will receive co-ordinated support and transportation to their preferred destination,” Melania Trump said, adding that some residents might choose to travel to Russia while others would prefer Ukraine.
She said residents faced limited electricity, mined roads and regular military attacks, while shortages of food, medicine and clean water had made conditions increasingly desperate.
Russia and Ukraine confirm agreement
Davyd Arakhamia, a Ukrainian lawmaker who leads President Volodymyr Zelensky’s parliamentary party, said an operation to unblock Oleshky and surrounding areas would begin in the near future.
He said a ceasefire would be established to facilitate the operation, following the announcement by the US first lady.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also confirmed that residents wishing to leave the settlement would be allowed to do so.
Oleshky, located in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region, was captured by Russian forces during the opening days of Moscow’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
The city is separated from Ukrainian positions by the Dnipro River, while Russian forces remain to its east, leaving residents trapped amid continuing hostilities and severe shortages.
Residents face hunger and a lack of medical care
The BBC reported last month that residents remaining in Oleshky had described desperate efforts to survive as shelling continued and supplies of food and water dwindled.
Some residents reportedly resorted to eating garden weeds. Children in the wider Oleshky area were suffering from malnutrition and lacked adequate medical services and access to education.
Residents also described a near-collapse of healthcare, with only one hospital reportedly operating partially and opening a few days a week to perform critical procedures, including amputations.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has described the area as being under a “full blockade” by Russian forces. Kyiv says its attempts to deliver supplies to the area have been unsuccessful in recent months.
In September, the Kremlin acknowledged a critical situation in Oleshky, including shortages of food and medicine, while saying Russian forces were working to address the problems and blaming Ukraine for the situation.
Before Russia’s full-scale invasion, Oleshky had a population of around 24,000. Ukraine estimates that approximately 6,000 people, including about 200 children, remain in the city and surrounding areas.
The area was also affected by massive flooding in 2023 following the collapse of the Nova Kakhovka Dam. Ukraine and its allies accused Russia of destroying the dam, while Moscow blamed Kyiv.
Melania Trump’s role in Ukraine-related humanitarian efforts
Melania Trump has maintained a relatively low public profile during her husband’s presidency but has engaged in humanitarian efforts linked to the Russia-Ukraine war, particularly concerning children affected by the conflict.
In August 2025, she wrote a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin urging him to protect children and future generations worldwide. Although the letter did not explicitly mention Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later delivered a letter from his wife, Olena Zelenska, thanking the US first lady for her efforts concerning children.
Melania Trump said in a public appearance in October 2025 that Putin had responded to her directly in writing and that her representatives were working with his team to facilitate the return of Ukrainian children from Russia and Russian children from Ukraine.
Reports indicate that 34 children have been returned since 2025, including five in July.
US President Donald Trump has also said his wife privately expressed scepticism about Putin’s commitment to peace, recounting how she questioned his optimism after Russian attacks continued despite diplomatic conversations.