Melania Trump brokers ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine to allow elderly to evacuate city of Oleshky on 'brink of disaster'

Sign up HERE for our DC Insider newsletter - your guide to what's rocking Washington, rattling the White House and setting tongues wagging on the Hill Published: 09:45 EDT, 23 October 2026 | Updated: 10:01 EDT, 23 October 2026 First Lady Melania Trump has brokered a localized ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine to help the predominantly elderly population of the Ukrainian city of Oleshky. The White House announced Friday morning that the First Lady had persuaded both countries to 'temporarily stop all military action' to allow for safe passageway of civilians. The ceasefire is expected to begin on October 29. 'The situation in Oleshky is dire. Oleshky is a front-line war city on the brink of disaster,' the First Lady said in a statement. 'Oleshky's remaining population is comprised primarily of elderly residents who urgently need medical attention, medicine, food, and clean water.''Residents who wish to evacuate will receive coordinated support and transportation to their preferred destination,' she continued. 'I anticipate some will want to go to Russia, and some to Ukraine.'Oleshky was captured by Russian forces on the first day of Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, the city's resources have dwindled, with the Associated Press reporting that food and medical supplies have been scarce for months. Residents lack electricity, heat and running water. First Lady Melania Trump has brokered a small ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine to help the predominantly elderly population of the Ukrainian city of OleshkyHundreds were killed when the Kakhovka Dam collapsed from an explosion in June 2023, that the AP determined was likely caused by the Russian military. Melania Trump, who was born in Slovenia, has previously worked to reunify Ukrainian children with their parents who were taken by the Russians. She personally wrote to Russian President Vladimir Putin last August, with her letter delivered to the Russian leader by President Donald Trump during his summit with Putin in Anchorage, Alaska. This is a breaking news story and will be updated ...