Mediated by Melania Trump.. A truce in a Ukrainian city between Moscow and Kiev enters into force

A local truce between Russia and Ukraine in the Ukrainian city of Oleshki - which is controlled by Russian forces and is located on the front line of the war - entered into force, after US First Lady Melania Trump helped mediate it, according to what officials from both sides announced on Tuesday. The Commissioner for Human Rights in the Ukrainian Parliament, Dmytro Lubinets, stated in a post on the “X” platform, previously Twitter, that the ceasefire entered into force at three o’clock in the morning, Kiev time, on Tuesday.

For its part, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported, via the Telegram application, that it had stopped bombing operations towards Oleshki at the same time, Tuesday. This pause in hostilities aims to facilitate the evacuation of elderly residents and the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid to the city on the front line, which has been controlled by Russian forces since the first days of the invasion in 2022.

Ukrainian authorities indicate that about 1,700 people still reside in Oleshki. Lobinets explained that the ceasefire comes "as part of a humanitarian mission carried out with the mediation and coordination of Melania Trump, and in cooperation with Russia's Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova."

It is not yet clear how long the ceasefire will last. On the other hand, battles continued in other areas.

The Ukrainian Emergency Authority announced that a 46-year-old woman was killed and more than 12 people were injured in an attack that targeted Kiev, which also resulted in damage to a bridge. The Russian army announced that it had launched a "large-scale strike" targeting Ukrainian military facilities, a logistics center in Kharkiv, and transportation infrastructure in Kiev.

He also stated that he intercepted and destroyed 222 Ukrainian drones over Russian territory. On Friday, the American First Lady announced that she worked with the Ukrainian and Russian leadership to reach a local ceasefire, as the "sole mediator."

Melania Trump said in a statement on Friday: “The residents of Oleshki suffer from a lack of electricity, live on roads planted with mines, and are exposed to frequent military attacks.” She added: "Civilian leaders from both countries will work together to visit Oleshki residents in their homes and determine the amount of assistance they need."

She continued: "Residents wishing to evacuate will receive coordinated support and transportation to reach their preferred destinations. I expect that some will want to go to Russia, while others may prefer to go to Ukraine."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that Kiev has been working on negotiating this agreement for “some time.” For his part, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov praised the "important contribution" made by Melania Trump.

On Friday, US President Donald Trump praised his wife’s efforts, saying: “They communicated with both parties, and both parties expressed their desire to do so.” He added that her focus remains on helping children affected by the war.

According to the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV also discussed the humanitarian crisis in Oleshki during a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 16, while he was in hospital recovering from lung cancer surgery. The US First Lady's office said last week that Oleshki's situation came to its attention during a private discussion on the sidelines of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September.