Ceasefire begins in Ukrainian city of Oleshky after Melania Trump deal

A localized temporary ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine has started in the city of Oleshky, according to the BBC, the Washington Post, and NBC News. The pause in fighting was brokered by United States First Lady Melania Trump, the outlets reported. Ukraine parliament commissioner for human rights, Dmytro Lubinets, confirmed in a social media post that the ceasefire had begun and stated that the Ukrainian side is honouring its commitments, the BBC reported. [1][4][7][10][11]

The temporary agreement is designed to allow aid deliveries and the evacuation of civilians, the BBC reported. Russia seized Oleshky during the first days of its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Residents have been trapped with scarce food between Ukrainian positions across the Dnipro River and Russian forces to the east, according to the BBC. [1][16][17]

The BBC reported that Ukraine estimates roughly 6,000 people remain in Oleshky and its surrounding areas, including 200 children, down from a pre-war population of 24,000. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Russia and Ukraine agreed to the temporary pause following negotiations that involved Melania Trump. [1][16][17]

Melania Trump is a Slovenian and American former model who has served as the first lady of the United States since 2025. She previously held the role from 2017 to 2021 after marrying Donald Trump in 2005. An advisor stated that she was involved in everything while negotiating the agreement, Fox Business reported. [2][12][15]