Russia and Ukraine confirmed preparations for a ceasefire in Oleshky, allowing humanitarian aid to enter. The truce, mediated by Melania Trump, will enter into force on October 27.
© Lusa
23/10/2026
by
Lusa
A Russia and Ukraine today confirmed preparations for a ceasefire located in the Ukrainian city of Oleshky, occupied by Russian forces, allowing humanitarian aid to enter.
The understanding, mediated and announced by the US First Lady Melania Trump, is due to enter into force on October 27, although Moscow has clarified that the military is still working out the details of the operation.
“ The military is working to agree the deadlines for a ceasefire in that area, with the aim of securing this humanitarian mission,” said Russian Presidency spokesman Dmitri Peskov, quoted by Russian agencies.
Peskov added that all residents wishing to leave Oleshky could do so, estimating that the withdrawal operation will take at least several days.
According to Valeri Gerasimov, Russian Chief of Staff, quoted by the Russian agencies, Moscow forces will suspend military operations in the Oleshky region of southern Ukraine, “from 04:00 Moscow time (01:00 GMT) on 27 October 2026”.
“To ensure the safety of the population and the delivery of essential goods, technical recognition will be carried out and safe passage from the humanitarian train to the locality of Oleshky,” Geramisov added.
The announcement anticipates in two days the date initially indicated by the White House, which had announced the beginning of the truce on October 29, following negotiations mediated by the US First Lady Melania Trump.
The Kremlin expressly thanked Melania Trump for speaking in the negotiations.
“ We thank the efforts of the First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump, who contributed significantly to the coordination of the humanitarian operation in the locality of Oleshky in the Kherson region,” said Peskov.
Ukraine has also confirmed that preparations for the humanitarian operation are about to begin.
“ In the near future an operation will begin to unlock the locality of Oleshky and its surroundings,” said David Arakhamia, leader of the parliamentary group of the government party and member of the Ukrainian delegation in the peace negotiations.
According to Arakhamia, the objective is to establish permanent humanitarian corridors that allow the safe removal of civilians and ensure the provision of aid to the population.
The Ukrainian officer confirmed that the operation will imply a statement of a localized ceasefire, referring the details to the Ukrainian Ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets.
Arakhamia also highlighted the role played by Pope Leo XIV and Melania Trump in the negotiations.
“ This was a long process in which many people participated at different political levels. We would especially like to highlight the role of the Pope and the First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump. We express our sincere gratitude”, said the Ombudsman.
Last week, Leo XIV had appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin, from the hospital in Rome where he was hospitalized, to accept a truce that would remove civilians and bring humanitarian assistance to Oleshky.
In a statement released today, the White House announced that the US First Lady was able to promote an understanding between Moscow and Kyiv to temporarily suspend military operations in that city from October 29.
According to the U.S. Presidency, the First Lady began contact with the two countries and, as an exclusive intermediary, helped to define the objectives, technical procedures, timetable and conditions of the ceasefire.
The First Lady’s office classified the humanitarian situation in Oleshky as “critical”, stressing that many of the residents are elderly who urgently need medical care, medicines, food and drinking water.