Melania Trump hosts Russia-Ukraine meeting, calls for ‘enduring’ truce
WASHINGTON: US First Lady Melania Trump called for a “more enduring” ceasefire in Ukraine as she hosted a rare meeting between officials from the war-torn country and its invader Russia at the White House on Thursday. The unprecedented meeting hoped to build on a localised six-day truce in the starvation-hit Ukrainian city of Oleshky that US President Donald Trump’s wife had announced last month.…
US First Lady Melania Trump convened a historic meeting at the White House on Thursday, bringing together officials from Ukraine and Russia to discuss a more enduring ceasefire in the ongoing war. The meeting sought to build upon a recent six-day truce in Oleshky, a Ukrainian city struggling with famine, which Melania Trump had previously announced.
Speaking to reporters, Melania Trump emphasized the need for a lasting solution, stating, "Now we must use the courage we brought to Oleshky to find common ground through a shared concern for the suffering of innocent people. Together, we can create something more enduring than a temporary ceasefire."
The Slovenian-born model promised to deliver personal letters to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, urging them to act on the potential of the Oleshky truce as a "spark in a world of darkness." Melania Trump highlighted the importance of the truce, noting that it would not have been possible without the cooperation between Putin and Zelensky. She praised their precedent for peace in the region.
The Russian envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, expressed gratitude to Melania Trump on behalf of President Putin for her humanitarian efforts in facilitating the Oleshky truce and reunifying children separated by the war. The meeting also reunited Russia's human rights ombudsman, Yana Lantratova, and her Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Lubinets, who had previously collaborated during the truce. Their joint efforts in Oleshky involved addressing the media and working together on evacuating residents and providing aid.
Melania Trump's involvement in diplomacy precedes upcoming trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, aimed at ending the conflict. These talks, the first between Russia, Ukraine, and the United States since February, have reignited hopes for peace. However, recent rapprochement between Donald Trump and Putin has raised concerns about the United States' commitment to Ukraine. Ahead of the talks, Ukrainian President Zelensky discussed the situation with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
In recognition of Melania Trump's role in brokering the Oleshky ceasefire, Ukrainian President Zelensky awarded her the Order of Princess Olga, First Class, during a ceremony at the White House.
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