In a press release released Friday, U.S. First Lady Melania Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a temporary ceasefire in the city of Oleshky, allowing for civilian evacuation.
The first lady described Oleshky as a front-line war city on the brink of disaster. “Oleshky’s remaining population is comprised primarily of elderly residents who urgently need medical attention, medicine, food, and clean water,” she stated in the release. She added that the city’s inhabitants face severe challenges: limited electricity, mined roads, and regular military attacks. “It was abundantly clear that without my intervention, the possibility to bring humanitarian aid into the city and to evacuate the elderly would be impossible.”
The temporary ceasefire will begin Thursday. During a question-and-answer session with reporters in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump praised the agreement, saying: “What she wants to do is save children, and that’s her focus. Both sides are cooperating with her, so she’s doing a very good job.” He also noted: “She wants to see babies come back to their families. And that’s between Russia and Ukraine.”
Trump confirmed the evacuation would enable residents to leave Oleshky for Russia or other parts of Ukraine. She further revealed that an impartial American media organization has been secured to document Russian and Ukrainian teams on the ground, ensuring families’ wishes are respected throughout the process.
Oleshky was captured by Russian forces on the first day of the invasion in February 2022 and remains under occupation. At one time, it had approximately 24,000 residents.
