US says Melania Trump brokers Oleshky ceasefire to start 29 October
The White House says Melania Trump has secured a local truce in Russian-occupied Oleshky to let civilians evacuate and aid reach the city from 29 October.
US First Lady Melania Trump has mediated a localised ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine around the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky, in Kherson region, to allow civilians to evacuate and humanitarian aid to reach the city, the White House said on Friday.
The ceasefire is due to begin on 29 October, the White House said. Both sides agreed to suspend military action in the city and set up a safe passage for residents who want to leave, according to the statement. The White House said Trump negotiated the deal in her formal role as "Exclusive Intermediary" between the two sides.
Oleshky lies on the Russian-occupied eastern bank of the Dnipro river, opposite Ukrainian-held Kherson, and has been under occupation since early 2022. The White House said about 1,700 to 2,000 people remain there, including around 50 children, down from roughly 24,000 before the war.
Melania Trump described the city as "a front-line war city on the brink of disaster" and said its mostly elderly remaining residents urgently need medical care, food and clean water. She said civilian representatives from both countries would visit residents in their homes to assess their needs, and that those who want to leave will get transport to their preferred destination, whether in Ukraine or Russia.
Ukrainian lawmaker David Arakhamiia, a close associate of President Volodymyr Zelensky, said on Telegram that the process of "unblocking" Oleshky and its outskirts would begin soon. He credited Pope Leo XIV, who had drawn attention to the city's humanitarian crisis, alongside Melania Trump, for the diplomacy. Russian authorities had not commented on the ceasefire as of the time of reporting.
Previous localised and temporary ceasefires announced during the war have had patchy implementation, the Kyiv Independent reported. Civilians attempting to leave Oleshky have had to cross mined roads exposed to drone attacks, Euronews reported, citing Oleshky's Ukrainian .
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What we know
- The White House said Melania Trump mediated a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine around Oleshky, due to start on 29 October.
- The deal is meant to allow humanitarian aid deliveries and civilian evacuations from the city.
- About 1,700 to 2,000 residents remain in Oleshky, including about 50 children, the White House said.
- Ukrainian lawmaker David Arakhamiia said the process of unblocking the city would begin soon.
- Russia had not commented on the ceasefire at the time of reporting.
Not yet confirmed
- How long the ceasefire will last, and what security guarantees apply to the humanitarian operation, were not specified by the White House.
Why it matters for Europe
Oleshky has been cut off since Russia's full-scale invasion began in February 2022 and was further damaged by flooding after the destruction of the Kakhovka dam in June 2023. Residents who tried to flee have had to walk roughly 25 kilometres through mined territory exposed to drone attacks, according to the city's Ukrainian military administration, which has said some people were killed by mines along that route.
The announcement comes at a time of strained relations between Kyiv and Washington, after the Trump administration agreed to waive sanctions on Russia and buy Russian diesel fuel, the Kyiv Independent reported, while limits on Starlink terminals used by Ukrainian drones continue.
Sources
Reported by 16 reports from 16 independent outlets in 11 countries.
- The Kyiv Independent: Breaking: Russia, Ukraine agree to Oleshky ceasefire mediated by Melania Trump, White House says
- The Independent: Melania Trump secures ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in Oleshky
- Le Figaro: Guerre en Ukraine : Melania Trump a obtenu une trêve à Olechky à partir du 29 octobre, annonce la Maison-Blanche
- Daily Mail: Melania Trump brokers ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine to allow elderly to evacuate city of Oleshky on 'brink of disaster'
- Watson: Melania Trump verkündet Waffenruhe in Oleschky
Source balance
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Questions and answers
- What is the Oleshky ceasefire?
- A localised truce, mediated by US First Lady Melania Trump, meant to let aid reach Oleshky and let residents evacuate, starting 29 October.
- How many people live in Oleshky now?
- About 1,700 to 2,000, including roughly 50 children, down from about 24,000 before the war, the White House said.
- Has Russia confirmed the ceasefire?
- Russian authorities had not commented publicly at the time of reporting.
This article was written with AI assistance from 17 verified reports and checked under the ECTV editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.