Melania Trump's Office Confirms Six-Day Oleshky Truce Starting Oct. 29

The office of First Lady Melania Trump announced on Friday that a temporary ceasefire will take effect in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky on Thursday, Oct. 29.

The arrangement halts military action in the city to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery and the evacuation of civilians. The office credited Mrs. Trump with brokering the deal, describing her role as that of an "Exclusive Intermediary" who worked directly with leadership from both Russia and Ukraine. She stated that she initiated talks and aligned the parties on technical procedures, timing, and specific terms for the localized pause.

Mrs. Trump characterized the conditions in Oleshky as severe, noting that the remaining population consists largely of elderly residents who require medical attention, food, and water. She described the city as having limited electricity, mined roads, and regular military attacks. Her office said she believed bringing in aid and evacuating the elderly would have been impossible without this intervention.

Under the plan, non-military civilian leaders from both nations will visit residents to assess their needs. Those choosing to leave will receive coordinated transportation to their preferred destination, whether Russia or Ukraine. Mrs. Trump said she arranged for an American media organization to document the efforts of both teams. Newsmax confirmed its participation in covering the work.

Ukrainian officials indicated that a tentative agreement exists for the occupied territory, though neither Russia nor Ukraine has issued a public statement regarding the announcement. White House communications director Steven Cheung called the development "amazing news" and a major step toward peace. He praised the First Lady's tireless work in helping those in need.

The announcement follows a recent call between Pope Leo and Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which the pope expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in Oleshky. Mrs. Trump has also worked to reunite 34 children with their families after their removal by Russia. The truce occurs while President Trump's broader efforts to end the war have stalled, and he has recently expressed frustration with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Mr. Trump told reporters earlier this week that Russia has not been doing much in terms of killing Ukrainians.

The six-day pause begins on Oct. 29 and is designed to allow for the assessment of civilian needs and the coordinated movement of residents.