First Lady Calls for Transition from Olshanyce Ceasefire Model to Lasting Peace Between Russia and Ukraine

Washington, Nov 5 (KUNA) – First Lady Melania Trump praised today, Thursday, in her capacity as the “exclusive mediator” of the temporary ceasefire in Oleshky, southern Ukraine, achieved through Russian-Ukrainian cooperation, calling for this model to serve as a foundation for lasting peace between the two countries. The remarks were made at an event hosted at the White House, attended by “prominent officials” from both the Russian and Ukrainian sides “who played key roles in reaching the Oleshky ceasefire,” which marked “the first time in American history that a first lady brought together representatives from two countries in actual war within the White House for diplomatic purposes,” according to a statement from Melania Trump’s office.

First Lady Melania Trump stated, “We must now invest the courage we demonstrated in Oleshky to find common ground rooted in mutual concern for the suffering of innocents.” She added, “Together, we can build something more enduring than a mere temporary ceasefire.”

She outlined the details of her “documented role in written agreements” as the “exclusive mediator” in securing the ceasefire, facilitating de-mining operations, enabling the delivery of humanitarian aid to the area, and organizing the safe evacuation of nearly 800 people. She emphasized that the Oleshky ceasefire would not have been possible “without the efforts of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy,” stressing that “their cooperation establishes an important precedent for enhancing peace across the entire region.”

Trump expressed hope that “Oleshky will inspire greater peace, as every major transformation begins with a small spark,” adding, “What matters is the determination to turn it into something exceptional.” She called for “building a strong flame of peace visible to the entire world, igniting hope, strengthening cooperation, and illuminating the path toward lasting peace.”

The temporary ceasefire in Oleshky, a town in Ukraine’s Kherson region controlled by Russia since 2022, took effect on October 29 and aims to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid and organize the evacuation of civilians wishing to leave through a safe corridor.

Kherson is one of four regions in eastern and southern Ukraine, along with Luhansk, Donetsk, and Zaporizhzhia, that Russian President Vladimir Putin formally annexed into Russian territory in December 2022 following referendums that Ukraine then deemed illegal. (End) R.S.R / H.S.S