Melania Trump brokers localized Russia-Ukraine ceasefire in Oleshky to enable aid deliveries and civilian evacuations

US First Lady Melania Trump brokered a localized humanitarian ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the frontline city of Oleshky, in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region. The pause is intended to allow emergency aid deliveries and civilian evacuations, with Trump serving as the initiative’s exclusive intermediary.

The ceasefire began at 01:00 GMT on Tuesday. Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov announced that Moscow would observe a regime of silence, and Ukraine’s General Staff confirmed it would do the same to facilitate aid deliveries and guarantee safe passage.

The arrangement addresses critical shortages of food, potable water and medical supplies among Oleshky’s remaining 1,700 to 2,000 residents, most of whom are elderly. Trump said the situation was dire and that, without her intervention, bringing in humanitarian aid and evacuating elderly people would have been impossible.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the mission could last several days. Civilian representatives from both sides are to assess local needs, and residents leaving the city will be transported to destinations in either country.