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Melania Trump secured a cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine in the city of Oleshky to allow the evacuation of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Oleshky, in the Kherson region, is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe.
About five miles behind the front lines, Ukrainian authorities claim residents of the city are being held hostage there with Russian forces using them as human shields.
“Oleshky’s remaining population is comprised primarily of elderly residents who urgently need medical attention, medicine, food, and clean water,” the first lady said in a statement Friday.
“The people of Oleshky have limited electricity, live amid mined roads, and endure 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 localized cease-fire will begin on October 29, 2026.
Trump and her representative worked directly with Russian and Ukrainian leadership to define the terms of the localized ceasefire, the first lady’s office said.
There’s an estimated 1,700-2,000 residents in the city, including about 50 children.
Food, drinking water, and medicine ran out in February.
Non-military teams from both countries will visit residents to assist in their evacuation to a country of choice.
Newsmax will accompany the teams to document the process.
“Residents who wish to evacuate will receive coordinated support and transportation to their preferred destination. I anticipate some will want to go to Russia, and some to Ukraine,” Trump said.
Melania Trump has worked on humanitarian issues tied to the war.
She’s helped reunite 34 Russian and Ukranian children with their families.
President Trump has been trying to pressure Russia and Ukraine into a ceasefire but with little success.
His envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have met with Presidents Zelensky and Putin to secure a trilateral meeting for peace talks as the war enters its fourth year.
