Melania Trump calls for ‘more enduring’ Ukraine ceasefire

During a rare meeting at the White House, US First Lady Melania Trump called for a more enduring ceasefire in Ukraine. She hosted officials from war-torn Ukraine and its invader Russia, aiming to build on a recent six-day truce in the Ukrainian city of Oleshky. Melania Trump urged the nations to create something more enduring than a temporary ceasefire, emphasizing the suffering of innocent people.

She informed the envoys to return with personal letters to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, urging them to use the Oleshky ceasefire as a spark for peace. The rare halt in fighting allowed for the demining of roads and the departure of residents. The US envoy thanked Melania Trump for her humanitarian role in brokering the truce in Oleshky.

Behind-the-scenes diplomacy involved the Ukrainian human rights ombudsman and her Kyiv counterpart, who worked together to evacuate residents and deliver aid. This cooperation came ahead of trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, the first between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States since February. The US first lady's efforts have been motivated by the ongoing conflict, despite her husband's intermittent peace efforts. Zelensky awarded Melania Trump a national honor for her role in the Oleshky ceasefire.