From BBC News · · 2m
Melania Trump hosts Russian and Ukrainian officials at White House
The US First Lady calls for a lasting ceasefire as she welcomes delegations from both countries following a six-day truce in Kherson.
In brief
The US First Lady calls for a lasting ceasefire as she welcomes delegations from both countries following a six-day truce in Kherson. Melania Trump hosted Russian and Ukrainian officials at the White House to discuss a six-day ceasefire in Kherson that allowed hundreds of residents to evacuate, calling for a more…
Melania Trump calls for lasting peace
The US First Lady welcomed Russian and Ukrainian delegations at the White House following a six-day ceasefire in Kherson. She called for a more enduring truce.
“The lives of innocent people must transcend the division of war. I hope Oleshky inspires greater peace.”
Hundreds evacuated from Oleshky
Residents of the Russian-occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky facing starvation and constant bombardment evacuated during the six-day ceasefire. Both Moscow and Kyiv credited Trump with brokering it.
Unusual White House meeting
Ukraine's human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets and his Russian counterpart Yana Lantratova met at the White House with Ukrainian MP Davyd Arakhamia and Kremlin envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
Trump's detailed involvement
Melania Trump said she reviewed demining plans, assessed roadways, discussed evacuation routes, hospital access, vehicles and medical resources during the truce in Kherson.
Life without fear in Oleshky
Trump said residents of Oleshky and neighbouring Kherson areas experienced simple joys for the first time since twenty twenty-two, walking familiar streets without fear of explosions.
“They walked down familiar streets without fear of explosions.”
Kremlin envoy praises Trump's work
Kirill Dmitriev thanked Melania Trump for saving lives and praised her work reuniting children separated from families by war, including children allegedly abducted by Russia.
“Let us continue making a humanitarian contribution together; this is within our power.”
Ukraine sees biggest de-escalation
Davyd Arakhamia, a Ukrainian MP heading Zelensky's party in parliament, called the Oleshky ceasefire the biggest de-escalation since twenty twenty-two and asked Trump to find new missions.
“the biggest de-escalation since 2022”
Trump awarded Ukraine's highest honour
Melania Trump was awarded Ukraine's Order of Princess Olha, first class for her significant personal contribution to humanitarian support for Ukraine.
Questions over who brokered the truce
A Kherson local government source told the BBC evacuation work had been ongoing for almost a year before others became involved and took credit for progress already made.
Zelensky credits Putin's decision
President Zelensky said the ceasefire success proved that when Putin wants fighting to stop, it stops. Sources suggest Russia agreed to benefit Donald Trump's midterm elections.
“when Putin wants the fighting to stop, it stops.”
In short
Melania Trump hosted Russian and Ukrainian officials at the White House to discuss a six-day ceasefire in Kherson that allowed hundreds of residents to evacuate, calling for a more enduring peace.
