First lady Melania Trump has brokered a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the ravaged, Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky so that humanitarian aid can be delivered and civilians can be evacuated from a place she said is “on the brink of disaster.”
The localized ceasefire is set to begin next week.
Ukrainian, Russian and U.S. negotiators reached a deal Friday to provide humanitarian relief to the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in the war-divided region of Kherson in southern Ukraine.
Melania Trump, who worked with officials from both countries on a separate matter, initiated talks about Oleshky after learning about the situation at one of her events during the U.N. General Assembly session in September, the White House said in announcing her involvement.
She and a representative worked directly with Russian and Ukrainian leadership to define the terms of the ceasefire, the White House said.
Ukraine’s top negotiator in the effort told The Associated Press that a local ceasefire with Russia will start Tuesday — two days before the mission begins — and last several days.
Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian ombudsman and his country’s chief negotiator in the talks, said the ceasefire would take effect across the Kherson region and neighboring areas essential to the operation. He added the initiative could act as a model for future humanitarian missions.
Russian officials also confirmed the agreement.
