US First Lady Melania Trump has reportedly brokered a temporary ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the war-ravaged city of Oleshky to allow humanitarian aid deliveries and the evacuation of civilians trapped in the Russian-occupied territory.
According to an announcement by the White House on Friday, the localised ceasefire is scheduled to begin on October 29, allowing humanitarian supplies to enter the city and creating a safe passage for residents who wish to leave. The agreement follows discussions involving Melania Trump and representatives of both countries.
However, the Russian and Ukrainian governments had not immediately issued formal confirmation of the arrangement when the announcement was made.
Melania described the situation in Oleshky as dire, noting that residents face severe shortages of food, medicine and clean water, alongside limited electricity and the dangers posed by mined roads and ongoing military threats.
The city, which had a population of about 24,000 before Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, is now estimated to have between 1,700 and 2,000 residents remaining. Under the proposed arrangement, civilian representatives from both countries are expected to assess residents’ needs and coordinate assistance and transportation for those seeking evacuation.
