US first lady Melania Trump has secured a localized ceasefire in the Russian-controlled city of Oleshky, the White House said. It is set to begin on October 29 to allow humanitarian aid in and a civilian evacuation. Russia had not immediately confirmed the deal.
The White House said Friday that Melania Trump secured a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in Oleshky, starting on October 29. Russian forces have occupied the southern Ukrainian city since February 2022, and residents have reported a deepening food crisis.
What the ceasefire covers
According to a White House statement, both nations agreed to "temporarily stop all military action in Oleshky", to let humanitarian aid enter and to prepare a civilian evacuation through a designated safe passageway. The first lady said the pause will allow non-military teams from both countries to visit residents in their homes and coordinate transport for those who want to evacuate to either Russia or Ukraine.
However, Russia did not immediately confirm the ceasefire. Ukraine's top negotiator David Arakhamia said on Telegram that a ceasefire would be established in Oleshky soon, along with an operation to set up permanent humanitarian corridors for evacuations and food deliveries. He gave no further details.
Conditions in the city
Oleshky sits across the Dnipro River from Kherson. The White House said it has a remaining population of 1,700 to 2,000 people, mostly elderly residents and about 50 children, down from roughly 24,000 before the war. It also said about 90% of the city was flooded after the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam.
The Kremlin said earlier this week that work was underway to ease the humanitarian situation in Oleshky, after Russian President Vladimir Putin told Pope Leo he was ready to cooperate on the issue.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is pressuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to reach an agreement with Putin to end the war.
Source: Investing.com (Reuters)
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