Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a localized ceasefire in the southern Ukrainian city of Oleshky, beginning early Tuesday, to facilitate an upcoming humanitarian mission coordinated by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump. The ceasefire aims to allow safe delivery of aid and the establishment of evacuation corridors for the estimated 2,000 civilians trapped in the city amid ongoing hostilities. Despite the truce in Oleshky, Russian missile strikes continued in other parts of Ukraine.
Oleshky, located in the partially occupied Kherson region, has faced severe shortages of food, medical supplies, and safe passage due to persistent drone attacks and the presence of land mines. The area’s conditions have been described as dire, with significant risks to both civilians and aid workers.
The temporary halt in fighting began at 3 a.m. local time to enable the humanitarian operation, which includes delivery of doctors, medicines, and essential provisions. Russia and Ukraine each confirmed the ceasefire’s implementation through official statements, underscoring the fragile nature of such agreements as tensions remain high with Russia’s full-scale invasion approaching its fifth anniversary.
The ceasefire and humanitarian effort were facilitated in part by Melania Trump, who held discussions with both Russian and Ukrainian civilian negotiators following a briefing from United Nations officials on the ground situation. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Tuesday that no violations of the truce had been reported so far.
This localized pause in hostilities follows a series of diplomatic engagements involving regional and international leaders. Notably, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held a rare direct telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, marking their first known contact since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022. The Nordic leaders subsequently spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, discussing their discussion with Putin and the broader conflict.
The calls, initiated by Stubb and Støre after a meeting last week in Oslo with Zelenskyy and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, were conducted in coordination with Ukraine. Both leaders emphasized the substantial human and material costs of the war, underscoring the importance of de-escalation and direct dialogue to resolve the conflict. They also highlighted the impact of the war on European security and the necessity of negotiations.
Preparations for trilateral talks involving Russia, Ukraine, and the United States are underway, with a session tentatively scheduled for next month in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, aiming to further address the conflict and potential pathways toward peace.
Earlier this month, Pope Leo XIV appealed directly to Zelenskyy and Putin, urging the safe passage of humanitarian aid and the evacuation of civilians from Oleshky. According to the Vatican, Putin expressed support for these efforts, and an agreement was reached to coordinate humanitarian activities in the city, signaling some convergence on relief initiatives despite the ongoing war.