The American first lady, Melania Trump, has obtained a localized ceasefire in the Ukrainian city of Oleshky, which will come into force on Thursday 29 October to allow the entry of humanitarian aid and prepare the evacuation of civilians through a safe corridor. The White House announced it, specifying that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to temporarily suspend all military activities in the city.
According to the note, the first lady and her representative worked directly with the Russian and Ukrainian leadership to define the objectives, technical procedures, timing and conditions of the agreement, in the role that the statement defines as “exclusive intermediary”.
The situation in Oleshky
“The situation in Oleshky is dramatic. It is a city on the front line, on the brink of disaster,” said Melania Trump. The remaining population is mainly made up of elderly people who urgently need care, medicines, food and drinking water. “The residents have limited access to electricity, live among mined roads and suffer regular military attacks,” he added.
Civilian representatives of the two countries will visit the inhabitants in their homes to assess their needs. “Residents who wish to be evacuated will receive coordinated support and transportation to the destination of their choice. I anticipate that some will want to go to Russia and others to Ukraine,” Melania Trump explained.
The Pope’s appeal
Oleshky is a small piece of land on the left bank of the Dnieper river, in the Kherson region of Ukraine, besieged by the Russians and reduced to its last resort. In recent days, in a phone call with Volodymyr Zelensky, Pope Leo
“The Holy Father hoped that the collaboration of both parties could allow the arrival of food and medical aid and the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population”, the Holy See said, urging both Russia and Ukraine to find a solution together. And although the Russian president, in the conversation with the Pope, had in fact passed “responsibility for the difficult humanitarian situation” to Oleshky back to Kiev, the Tsar had nevertheless guaranteed “support for the Vatican’s intention to help the population of the city”.
Confirmations from the Russian and Ukrainian authorities
Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense has announced a ceasefire in Oleshky, a place under Russian control, starting from 4 am on October 27
And the commissioner for human rights of the Ukrainian Parliament, Dmytro Lubinets, confirmed that a humanitarian operation and a ceasefire will take place in Oleshky on October 29: Ukrainska Pravda reports, citing his video on Telegram. “Under our agreement: first, a ceasefire will be guaranteed. Second, humanitarian aid will be delivered to Oleshky. Third, the free movement of the civilian population leaving Oleshky will be guaranteed,” said Lubinets, who also thanked Melania Trump and her team for their efforts.