Melania Trump brokers rare Ukraine ceasefire
The first lady hosted Russian and Ukrainian officials to mark a six-day pause in fighting in Oleshky, a move that precedes new talks in Abu Dhabi.
By Stella Brooks ·
First Lady Melania Trump hosted Russian and Ukrainian officials at the White House to recognize a temporary ceasefire in Oleshky, a city in southeastern Ukraine held by Russian forces. The six-day pause allowed humanitarian aid to enter the area and enabled the evacuation of hundreds of residents before expiring on Sunday.
The meeting marks a distinct diplomatic effort separate from President Trump’s direct negotiations. During the ceremony, Melania Trump stated that the nation had chosen humanity over war. She expressed hope that the events in Oleshky would inspire greater peace and emphasized that the lives of innocent people must transcend the divisions of the conflict.
Kirill Dmitriev, the special envoy for Russian President Vladimir Putin, addressed the gathering to thank the first lady. He stated that Putin personally instructed his team to ensure the successful implementation of the ceasefire. Dmitriev described the first lady’s role as distinguished and thanked her for helping resolve the humanitarian issue on behalf of the Russian Federation.
Ukrainian human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets presented Melania Trump with the Order of Princess Olha, 1st Class. This is Ukraine’s highest award for women. Lubinets asked the first lady to continue her humanitarian work and to support the people of Ukraine.
The White House views the event as a breakthrough in diplomacy. It arrives days before the United States leads a new round of peace talks in Abu Dhabi next week. President Trump also met with Dmitriev at the White House and told reporters that the two sides were close to reaching a deal. He predicted the agreement would be large and might involve all of Europe.
Heather Conley, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute who worked on European issues under President George W. Bush, offered a cautious perspective. She noted that the ceremony honored Russian officials who caused the occupation and starvation of Oleshky. Conley warned that treating both sides as equal in the crisis could normalize Russia’s behavior and put the diplomatic effort upside down.
