Melania Trump announces temporary Oleshky ceasefire from Oct. 29

What was announced

Melania Trump's office said Friday that a temporary, localized ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine will begin Oct. 29 in Oleshky, a Russian-occupied city in southern Ukraine. The office said both countries agreed to halt military action there so humanitarian aid can enter and a civilian evacuation can be prepared through a designated safe passageway.

The announcement, unusual for a first lady's office, said she worked directly with Russian and Ukrainian leadership to define the terms. CBS News reported that Russia and Ukraine had not commented at the time, though Ukrainian officials indicated a tentative agreement existed.

Confirmation and scope

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Melania Trump played a coordinating role and said the Russian military is arranging the ceasefire's timing. Ukraine's General Staff said in a social media post that it will carry out the ceasefire orders.

The first lady's office said non-military civilian leaders from both countries will visit residents to assess needs and that those wishing to evacuate will receive support to their preferred destination. It estimated 1,700 to 2,000 residents remain of about 24,000 before the war. The exact duration of the ceasefire was not specified. She also said an American media organization would accompany teams, and Newsmax said it would go.

Context

The announcement comes amid wider U.S. efforts to push peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, at war since February 2022. President Donald Trump, asked about the ceasefire and whether his wife would join trilateral talks, said it was not the worst idea he had heard and that both sides were cooperating with her. A similar temporary ceasefire occurred in May 2025 around commemorations of the Soviet victory in 1945.