White House confirms four-day Oleshky ceasefire starting October 27
Melania Trump brokered the deal to evacuate 2,000 residents facing severe shortages of food and power in the occupied southern Ukrainian city.
By Petra Murphy ·
A four-day pause in fighting is set to begin in the southern Ukrainian city of Oleshky on October 27. The White House announced on Friday that Russia and Ukraine agreed to the local ceasefire to allow for the delivery of aid and the evacuation of civilians.
Oleshky has been under Russian control since February 2022. Approximately 2,000 people remain in the city, where residents report severe shortages of electricity, water, and food. Some inhabitants have described surviving on boiled grass, weeds, and small rations of bread. The truce is designed to create a window for these residents to leave.
Melania Trump brokered the agreement, according to the White House. Her representative worked directly with leaders from both sides to set the terms. Trump stated that residents choosing to evacuate would receive coordinated support and transportation. She noted that some would likely head to Russia while others would go to Ukraine.
Ukraine’s ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, detailed the operational plan on Friday. He said the mission would include demining the roads leading into the town, delivering humanitarian aid, and evacuating civilians. Lubinets told Reuters that officials aim to provide enough supplies to meet the needs of everyone who requires them. He added that the effort is intended to extend beyond a single event and potentially cover nearby settlements.
This agreement follows weeks of Ukrainian efforts to secure a civilian exit. Ukrainian officials previously stated that Russia rejected earlier calls for a pause. Pope Leo XIV, the United Nations, and EU officials had also urged a ceasefire. As recently as October 18, Lubinets said he believed an agreement was near, without referencing a role for the first lady at that time.
The truce announcement coincided with ongoing friction between Ukraine and the United States over the Starlink satellite network. Ukrainian forces reported that internet speeds remained capped at about 100 mph throughout Friday. Serhii Beskrestnov, a military advisor to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said no lifting of the restrictions had been observed. The speed limit prevents drones and other equipment from maintaining connections at high speeds, which hampers offensive and defensive operations.
Tensions escalated after US President Donald Trump and Starlink founder Elon Musk publicly criticized Zelenskyy over strikes on Russian oil refineries. Both Trump and Musk denied responsibility for the slowdown. Trump told reporters on Friday that he had heard the issue was fixed but would speak to Musk if it was not. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham also urged Trump to ensure Ukraine has full access to the service.
Separately, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Friday that three tankers were heading to the United States. He stated that Russian companies could supply 500,000 metric tonnes of diesel in October. This follows Washington lifting sanctions on Russia and beginning imports to lower US energy prices ahead of midterm elections.
