Ceasefire announced

The White House said on Friday, 23 October, that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a localized ceasefire in Oleshky, a city on the Dnipro river. The truce is set to begin on 29 October, six days after the announcement. Both countries agreed to suspend military action in the city temporarily, so that humanitarian aid can enter and civilians can be prepared for evacuation through agreed passages.

Melania Trump's role

First Lady Melania Trump is credited with securing the deal. According to the White House note, she and a representative worked directly with the Russian and Ukrainian leaderships to set the objectives, technical procedures, timing and conditions of the agreement, acting in what the note describes as an exclusive intermediary role. Earlier, she had been known for efforts to return Ukrainian children abducted by Russia during the war to their families. In her statement on the city, she described the situation as catastrophic, with Oleshky on the front line and close to collapse.

Conditions in Oleshky

Oleshky lies about 4 km from Kherson, on the Dnipro's left bank, which is occupied by Russia. Russian forces took the city in the first days of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. In June 2023 it was flooded after the dam at New Kakhovka was destroyed by Russian forces. According to reports, the roads into the city are mined, and Russian drones operate there constantly, making it harder for residents to leave. The people who remain are mainly elderly and urgently need medical care, medicines, food and clean water. Melania Trump's statement adds that residents have limited access to electricity and face regular military attacks.

What the arrangement involves

Under the arrangement, civilian representatives from both countries will visit residents in their homes to assess what they need. Residents who want to leave will receive coordinated support and transport to the destination they choose. Melania Trump predicted that some residents will want to go to Russia and others to Ukraine. The White House describes the goal as delivering humanitarian aid and preparing evacuation through a secure corridor, with fighting in the city paused for the duration of the work.

Earlier warnings

Before the announcement, Pina Picierno, a vice-president of the European Parliament, had announced a hunger strike in connection with the situation in the city. Her protest and Melania Trump's appeal for medicine, food and water both focus on the same urgent needs. The ceasefire's start date of 29 October leaves a window of six days before the pause takes effect.