Melania Trump calls for lasting Ukraine truce at White House meeting
The US First Lady hosted Russian and Ukrainian officials following a six-day ceasefire in the Kherson region town of Oleshky.
US First Lady Melania Trump called for a more enduring ceasefire in Ukraine on Thursday while hosting Russian and Ukrainian officials at the White House. The meeting followed a six-day truce in the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in the Kherson region, which allowed for the evacuation of nearly 800 people, according to Al Jazeera.
The White House stated this was the first time in American history a First Lady has brought representatives of two nations at war together for diplomacy. Attendees included Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev, Russian human rights commissioner Yana Lantratova, Ukrainian MP Davyd Arakhamia, and Ukraine's human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets.
Trump said she had reviewed demining plans, assessed roadways, and discussed medical resources during the truce. She expressed hope that the events in Oleshky would inspire greater peace, noting that people in the area experienced life without fear of explosions for the first time since 2022.
Dmitriev thanked the First Lady on behalf of President Vladimir Putin and the Russian people for her humanitarian role. Arakhamia described the Oleshky ceasefire as the biggest de-escalation since 2022 and noted that Ukrainians have asked Trump to continue seeking new missions to de-escalate the conflict.
During the event, Ukrainian representatives presented Trump with the Order of Princess Olga, first class. Trump also handed Dmitriev and Arakhamia personal letters addressed to Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to be delivered to their respective leaders.
The Oleshky truce expired last Sunday. New US-brokered diplomatic discussions between Russia and Ukraine are scheduled for November 10 and 11 in Abu Dhabi.
