US First Lady Melania Trump says she has helped secure a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the southern Ukrainian city of Oleshky, which has been under Russian occupation since February 2022.
The White House announced the development on Friday, October 23, 2026. A senior Ukrainian official told Reuters that the ceasefire would be put in place soon, while a Kremlin spokesman said the Russian military was working to coordinate the timing.
The announcement comes as US President Donald Trump’s administration intensifies diplomatic efforts to end the war, putting greater pressure on Ukraine while making several concessions to Russia.
In a statement released by the White House, Melania described the situation in Oleshky as critical.
“The situation in Oleshky is dire. Oleshky is a front line war city on the brink of disaster,” she said.
She explained that residents were struggling with limited electricity, mined roads and repeated military attacks.
“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,” she added.
Melania said her representatives had engaged directly with Russian and Ukrainian leaders to agree on the terms of the local ceasefire.
She also said civilian officials from both countries would work together to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches residents affected by the conflict.
Oleshky, which had about 24,000 residents before the war, is located near the southeastern frontline. Russian forces captured the city on the first day of their full-scale invasion in February 2022, and it has since endured heavy bombardment.
Although most residents have left, those who remain face severe shortages of food and medical supplies. Russia and Ukraine have both accused each other of obstructing the delivery of essential supplies.
According to Melania, the ceasefire will allow about 2,000 remaining residents who want to leave to be evacuated to their preferred destination in either Russia or Ukraine.
She further disclosed that “an impartial American media organisation” would accompany Russian and Ukrainian teams during operations on the ground. However, she did not name the organisation.
Melania has previously been involved in efforts to reunite children taken by Russia during the war with their families.
