A temporary ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine has been reached for the city of Oleshky, a key location under Russian control since early 2022, according to a statement from the White House on Friday. The ceasefire is set to begin on October 29 and aims to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and the evacuation of civilians via a secure corridor.

The southern Ukrainian town has experienced worsening shortages of food, medical supplies, and clean water, particularly affecting its largely elderly population. The initiative to secure the ceasefire was led by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump, who emphasized the urgent humanitarian needs in Oleshky. "The situation in Oleshky is dire," she said, highlighting the necessity of immediate assistance for residents caught in the frontline conflict.

The ceasefire comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts by President Donald Trump to persuade both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the war that began with Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Melania Trump has also been involved in initiatives aimed at returning Ukrainian children who were taken by Russian forces during the conflict.

Separately, Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated readiness to engage in renewed trilateral talks with Ukraine and the United States. However, he clarified that discussions would focus on long-term security arrangements for both Russia and Ukraine as part of a final peace agreement, rather than on short-term ceasefires. Putin asserted that the goal of these talks would be to establish a comprehensive settlement to ensure mutual security, moving beyond temporary pauses in hostilities.