European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno ends hunger strike after Oleshky ceasefire agreement

European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno ended her hunger strike on October 24 after Russia and Ukraine agreed to a ceasefire in the occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky, according to Ukrainian human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets. Lubinets had urged Picierno to end her hunger strike, as it had become a significant risk to her health.

The hunger strike began on October 20 to bring global attention to the dire humanitarian situation in Oleshky, where thousands were trapped without food, medicine, and faced the danger of land mines. The hunger strike was intended to draw international attention to the crisis and encourage civil society organizations and governments to join in a nonviolent campaign.

On October 23, the White House announced that the U.S. first lady Melania Trump had secured a local ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine, allowing for a temporary halt to hostilities in Oleshky. The ceasefire is set to begin on October 29, enabling humanitarian aid deliveries and the evacuation of civilians. Ukraine's General Staff later confirmed that they would begin implementing the ceasefire in the area at 3 a.m. Kyiv time on October 27.

The humanitarian operation in Oleshky would be complex, involving a ceasefire, aid delivery, and ensuring the free departure of civilians. However, the Kremlin stated that coordinating the ceasefire and evacuation could take several days.