OAN Staff Katherine Mosack
9:59 AM – Friday, October 23, 2026

First Lady Melania Trump has helped broker a localized ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine to allow for humanitarian aid and a civilian evacuation.

On Friday, the White House announced that the temporary ceasefire will begin on October 29th so that civilians in the front-line city of Oleshky can evacuate through a "designated safe passageway."

"The situation in Oleshky is dire. Oleshky is 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," said the first lady. "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."

Trump, in her formal role as exclusive intermediary, initiated direct discussions with Russian and Ukrainian leadership, and she and her representative worked with both countries to define the terms, objectives, timing and procedures of the agreement, the White House said.

 

"My representative and I immediately leveraged the communication channel we established with Russia and Ukraine through the previous six reunifications of 34 children," the first lady explained. "Both nations promptly assigned teams to coordinate the complex mechanics involved, including demining. All parties have worked around the clock since that moment."

The White House said the "exigent circumstances of Oleshky" first came to her attention during private talks at her Fostering the Future Together event on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York City in September — meaning the assigned teams have had less than a month to plan the localized ceasefire.

Trump has had a direct channel of communication with Russia and with Ukraine for months, and has used it to leverage several rounds of reunifications of children who had been displaced from their families during the years-long war between Russia and Ukraine.

 

"Non-military, civilian leaders from both countries will work together to visit Oleshky residents in their homes and determine the level of assistance they require. 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," said Trump.

The U.S. will be able to track the progress of the humanitarian efforts and ensure that the agreement to halt all military action in the area is upheld.

She continued, "I have also secured an impartial American media organization to accompany and document Russian and Ukrainian teams on the ground throughout the process. This will play a significant role in ensuring that the wishes of each family are faithfully respected."

 

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