Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire: The White House on Friday announced that First Lady Melania Trump has brokered an upcoming ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the war-ravaged city of Oleshky, which will begin on October 29. According to the ceasefire, both warring sides will allow for humanitarian aid and the evacuation of civilians in Oleshky.

"First Lady Melania Trump successfully secured a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, localized to the city of Oleshky. Both nations agreed to 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," a White House statement read.

How Melania Brokered The One-City Ceasefire

The First Lady had initiated the discussions through her representative, who worked directly with Russian and Ukrainian leadership to define the terms of the ceasefire. However, no immediate confirmation came from the Ukrainian or Russian governments. Melania also personally wrote to Russian President Vladimir Putin to work to reunite children displaced by the war with their families. Food and medical supplies have been scarce for months in Oleshky, which sits on the Dnipro River, which separates Ukrainian forces from the city's Russian occupiers.

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Why Oleshky Matters

The Ukrainian city, Oleshky, has been severely affected due to the ongoing war. Once a city of about 24,000, Oleshky was captured by Moscow's forces on the first day of their full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Its buildings were shelled and burned, and its infrastructure damaged. There's no electricity, heat or running water. Roads leading from town are mined and dotted with burned-out cars. Menacing drones buzz overhead.

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In June 2023, floodwaters inundated the city after the Kakhovka Dam collapsed from an explosion allegedly caused by the Russian military, killing hundreds of residents. Now, the news of the ceasefire brought a ray of hope for the people who were still living there and whose children were separated.

Putin Agrees To Resume Trilateral Peace Talks

The development came two days after Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to resume trilateral negotiations with Washington and Kyiv on ending the war in Ukraine. Putin's Foreign Affairs Adviser Yuri Ushakov said after a meeting between Putin and US President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff that the Russian leader has agreed "in principle" to resume the trilateral talks after November 10.

(With Agencies Inputs)

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