Melania Trump is set to address the Oleshky ceasefire and host Russian and Ukrainian representatives at the White House on November 5.
WASHINGTON: US First Lady Melania Trump is scheduled to deliver remarks at the White House on Thursday, November 5, about a localized ceasefire in Ukraine’s Kherson region, following an initiative her office says she helped facilitate.
The address is scheduled for 11:00 am Eastern Time (1600 GMT). She is also expected to bring Russian and Ukrainian representatives together at the White House, although the identities of the participants and the meeting’s detailed agenda have not been publicly specified.
The ceasefire concerns Oleshky, a town in the Russian-occupied part of the Kherson region. The temporary halt in fighting was intended to allow humanitarian assistance to reach civilians and facilitate the evacuation of residents facing shortages of essential supplies. The arrangement also allowed roads to be cleared of mines so people could leave for Ukrainian- or Russian-controlled territory.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a social media post on Wednesday that he had held detailed discussions with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Negotiations between the parties are expected to continue next week.
Zelensky also awarded Melania Trump the Order of Princess Olga, First Class. The Ukrainian presidential decree recognised her contribution to humanitarian support, human rights and charitable work.
The White House has described the first lady’s involvement as an unprecedented diplomatic initiative. However, the announcement has not provided a full account of the ceasefire’s terms or the extent of the proposed White House meeting.
The scheduled address comes amid continuing efforts to pursue diplomatic contacts between Moscow and Kyiv. The scope of the localized truce should not be confused with a nationwide ceasefire or a broader agreement to end the war.
