Melania Trump Secures Ceasefire In Oleshky
A rare humanitarian ceasefire, mediated by First Lady Melania Trump, became effective early Tuesday. The pause in fighting covers the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in southern Ukraine. Both sides agreed to stop military action to let aid in and help civilians leave.
Last week, the White House declared that the First Lady had secured this pause. The deal would "temporarily stop all military action in Oleshky to allow for humanitarian aid to enter and to prepare a civilian evacuation through a designated safe passageway," according to NBC News. Fighting stopped at 3 a.m. local time to ensure a safe "humanitarian operation."
The situation on the ground has been dire for years. The town was seized by Russia in February 2022. Before the war, about 24,000 people lived there. Now, only around 1,700 remain as of October 2026, per Washington Examiner. Food and medical supplies are running low. Drones and land mines block movement. Starving residents have even eaten garden weeds to survive, reports Breitbart.
Drone attacks and buried mines make it hard for people to escape. They also stop food and medicine from getting in. No shops are open. For three years, the city has lacked electricity, gas, and water. According to reports, just one hospital is still partially working.
Exclusive — Melania Trump Secures Localized Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire, Senior Adviser Calls It ‘Meaningful Step Toward Lasting Peace’ https://t.co/4ATPZnekYd
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) October 24, 2026
Ukrainian officials confirmed the truce started on time. David Arakhamia, who helps lead President Volodymyr Zelensky's party, called it "the largest de-escalation since 2022," when the war began. He said the truce would last through Nov. 1. Arakhamia added that "every such de-escalation effort brings the long-awaited peace in Ukraine closer," per Washington Examiner.
Kyrylo Budanov, Zelensky's chief of staff, also confirmed the ceasefire took effect. On the Russian side, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said no violations have been recorded around Oleshky. Olha Haiduk, a local resident, told Reuters she hopes the agreement will be implemented and that the Russian side will keep its word.
First Lady Trump revealed she brokered this deal last Friday. She said it became "abundantly clear that without my intervention, the possibility to bring huma," according to Washington Examiner. Per Breitbart, this announcement came after Pope Leo XIV directly pleaded with Russian President Vladimir Putin for a ceasefire a week prior.
This move comes as President Donald Trump presses for an end to the war. He has urged Zelensky to reach an agreement with Putin. The First Lady described the town as being "on the brink of disaster" with elderly residents needing urgent help, said NBC News. The truce allows a designated safe passageway for those trapped to exit the area.