Melania Trump claims to have secured ceasefire for single Ukrainian town in surprising peace breakthrough

Melania Trump claims to have secured ceasefire for single Ukrainian town in surprising peace breakthrough The White House said the ceasefire in the ‘frontline war city on the brink of disaster’ will begin next week - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in Melania Trump says she has secured a ceasefire for a Ukrainian city that was until now cut off from the world and facing starvation. The Russian occupied city of Oleshky is located at the frontline and is made up of 2,000 residents who have faced an ongoing blockade restricting food and aid. But the First Lady said on Friday that Russia has agreed to pause all military action in the town to allow for humanitarian aid to enter and to prepare a civilian evacuation through a designated safe passageway, according to the White House. The localised ceasefire is set to begin on 29 October. “The situation in Oleshky is dire. Oleshky is a frontline war city on the brink of disaster,” she said. “Oleshky’s remaining population is comprised primarily of elderly residents who urgently need medical attention, medicine, food, and clean water. “The people of Oleshky have limited electricity, live amid mined roads, and endure regular military attacks. It was abundantly clear that without my intervention, the possibility to bring humanitarian aid into the city and to evacuate the elderly would be impossible.” Melania and her representative are said to have worked directly with both Russian and Ukrainian leadership in order to define the terms of the agreement. “Non-military civilian leaders from both countries will work together to visit Oleshky residents in their homes and determine the level of assistance they require,” she said. ”Residents who wish to evacuate will receive coordinated support and transportation to their preferred destination. I anticipate some will want to go to Russia, and some to Ukraine.” According to the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission, the area was one of many frontline communities in Kherson that have faced food shortages and interrupted aid. “People can’t get out, food can’t get in, and sick and injured are not getting the medical assistance they need,” said Danielle Bell, Head of HRMMU in June. Residents said that the town’s last grocery store had stopped operating back in January. The news follows weeks of discontent between the Ukrainian and American leadership with both President Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky taking shots at each other in public statements. Tensions escalated when Trump agreed to lift sanctions on Russia in order for Vladimir Putin to export diesel globally. Around the same time, Ukraine reported restrictions to its military-grade Starlink terminals. SpaceX billionaire Elon Musk claimed that the decision to limit the use of the satellite service was down to the US government and Trump. However, it was later reported by the Wall Street Journal that Musk had ordered the restriction. On Thursday, Zelensky said that full service was yet to be restored while Trump reported that Musk had ensured it was up and running again. On Friday, Trump said that he had not spoken to the X owner but told reporters that he would fix any Starlink issue in Ukraine. US-brokered talks had been taking place before Trump and Israel chose to launch a war on Iran, which has largely stalled discussions. Trilateral discussions are set to continue next month. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments