The White House announced that First Lady Melania Trump has successfully negotiated a temporary ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the city of Oleshky.
What happened
The ceasefire, which will begin on Tuesday, aims to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid and the evacuation of civilians from the city. Russian President Vladimir Putin's envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, confirmed the ceasefire on social media, while Ukrainian lawmaker Davyd Arakhamia stated that Kyiv and Washington had discussed the situation in Oleshky during talks in Oslo, Norway.
According to the First Lady, the situation in Oleshky is dire, with most residents being elderly and in urgent need of medical care, food, and clean water. The city has limited access to electricity and faces frequent military attacks and mined roads.
The ceasefire will enable civilian leaders from both countries to assess the needs of residents and provide assistance and transportation to those who wish to leave. The White House estimates that around 1,700-2,000 residents remain in Oleshky, mostly older people.
The First Lady has been involved in humanitarian efforts during the conflict, including reuniting children separated from their families. Her efforts have been praised by Russian President Putin, who recently expressed gratitude for her contribution to resolving humanitarian issues.
