Russia, Ukraine agree to US-brokered, 1 city ceasefire

US first lady Melania Trump helped broker a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia in the city of Oleshky, the White House announced Friday. The localized truce, according to the White House, is slated to begin on October 29.

The Ukrainian city occupied by Russia on the frontline of the war faces a humanitarian crisis and only around 2,000 people still live there. Prior to the war, the city had a population of around 24,000.

Oleshky has been under blockade since 2025 and was first occupied when Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

The city is located in southern Ukraine, just 9 kilometers (around 5.6 miles) from the major city of Kherson.

“Oleshky’s remaining population is comprised primarily of elderly residents who urgently need medical attention, medicine, food and clean water,” Melania Trump said in a statement.

“The people of Oleshky have limited electricity, live amid mined roads, and endure regular military attacks.”

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman, thanked the first lady for securing the deal.

“Under our agreement: first a ceasefire will be put in place; second, humanitarian aid will be delivered to Oleshky; and third, civilians will be allowed to move freely out of Oleshky,” Lubinets said in a video message posted on Telegram.

“The operation will be carried out gradually and is extremely challenging to implement.”

Russia also confirmed the agreement and said it will halt fire earlier than what the White House announced at 0400 local time (0100 GMT) on October 27.