US first lady announces ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine in city of Oleshky

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US first lady Melania Trump announced on Friday an agreement between Russia and Ukraine to establish a temporary ceasefire in the southern Ukrainian city of Oleshky, intended to allow humanitarian aid deliveries and facilitate the evacuation of civilians who wish to leave.

The localized ceasefire is scheduled to begin on Oct. 29, according to the White House.

“The situation in Oleshky is dire. Oleshky is a front-line war city on the brink of disaster. Oleshky’s remaining population is comprised primarily of elderly residents who urgently need medical attention, medicine, food, and clean water,” Melania Trump said in the statement.

"The people of Oleshky have limited electricity, live amid mined roads, and endure regular military attacks. It was abundantly clear that without my intervention, the possibility to bring humanitarian aid into the city and to evacuate the elderly would be impossible."

The first lady and her representative worked directly with Russian and Ukrainian leadership to define the terms of the truce, the White House said.

Diyar Güldoğan