Melania Trump Sends Personal Letters to Putin and Zelensky as Russian and Ukrainian Officials Honor Her Role in Oleshky Ceasefire

U.S. First Lady Melania Trump brought Russian and Ukrainian officials together at the White House on Thursday, November 5, to recognize a humanitarian ceasefire in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky, receiving gifts and official recognition from both countries before sending personal letters to their presidents.

The temporary truce in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region allowed humanitarian aid deliveries and the evacuation of nearly 800 civilians, according to the White House. Agreements were signed on October 23, ahead of the ceasefire that ended on November 1.

Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev thanked Trump on behalf of President Vladimir Putin and presented her with a drawing by a child evacuated from Oleshky to Russia.

“Dear Melania, you have saved so many lives. As a token of appreciation, we would like to give you a small gift,” Dmitriev said.

He praised her leadership in coordinating the humanitarian operation and helping reunite Russian and Ukrainian families.

“We would like to thank First Lady Melania Trump for her distinguished humanitarian role in resolving the Oleshky situation and resolving this humanitarian issue,” he said.

Ukraine’s human rights commissioner, Dmytro Lubinets, presented Trump with the Order of Princess Olga, First Class, awarded by President Volodymyr Zelensky for her humanitarian work.

Trump said she had personally helped coordinate the ceasefire, working with officials from both countries on demining, evacuation routes, medical access and humanitarian supplies.

“The ceasefire in Oleshky would not have been possible without President Putin and President Zelensky,” she said. “Their cooperation establishes a meaningful precedent for advancing peace throughout the region.”

The first lady also thanked Russia’s human rights commissioner, Yana Lantratova, for her involvement.

“My deepest appreciation to Ms. Yana Lantratova, Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation. Your dedication brings hope and dignity to those devastated by war,” Trump said.

At the conclusion of the event, Trump announced that she had written personal letters to Putin and Zelensky and asked Dmitriev and Ukrainian parliamentary leader Davyd Arakhamia to deliver them.

The contents of the letters were not disclosed.