Mediated by Melania Trump.. A limited truce between Russia and Ukraine enters into force

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A limited ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia entered into force in the early hours of Tuesday morning, in preparation for a humanitarian mission led by US First Lady Melania Trump.

The cessation of fighting began at three in the morning local time in Ukraine, to allow a relief mission to enter the town of Oleshki, which is under Russian control in southern Ukraine, later this week.

According to her office, Melania Trump led talks with civilian negotiators from Russia and Ukraine, after she met United Nations officials who briefed her on the situation in the town.

The relief mission is scheduled to be carried out before a new round of talks between Russia and Ukraine, with American mediation, expected to be held next month with the aim of ending the war that broke out more than four and a half years ago.

According to the United Nations, up to two thousand people are stuck in Oleshki, amid dwindling supplies of food and medicine, while they are unable to leave the town due to explosive mines and drone attacks in the area.

The ceasefire is scheduled to last until Saturday, or longer, in light of the deep mistrust between Russia and Ukraine, which has thwarted previous attempts to reach a truce.

Oleshki is located in the Kherson region, which is partially controlled by Russia, about 550 kilometers southeast of Kiev, where the Dnipro River forms a separation between Russian and Ukrainian forces.