The White House announced Tuesday that the first lady would address the Oleshky ceasefire at 11 a.m. ET. The identities of the Russian and Ukrainian participants were not disclosed.
“First Lady Melania Trump will personally bring representatives of Russia and Ukraine, two nations actively at war, together at the White House,” her office said, describing the initiative as an “unprecedented diplomatic initiative by an American First Lady.”
The ceasefire in Oleshky and nearby areas expired Monday. According to the White House, Melania Trump negotiated the arrangement through contacts established during her previous efforts to reunite children separated from their families by the war.
Her office said she communicated directly with Russian and Ukrainian leaders, acting as the “exclusive intermediary” between the two sides.
“The mission was a success, delivering critical aid to the region and enabling the evacuation of nearly 800 people,” she wrote on X, expressing hope that Oleshky “serves as a foundation for lasting peace between both nations.”
Ukraine, however, accused Russian forces Monday of exploiting the temporary truce to strengthen military positions in Oleshky.
Separately, Moscow confirmed Tuesday that negotiations involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States would take place Nov. 10-11 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Putin aide Vladimir Medinsky would lead the Russian delegation, Reuters reported.
Peskov also said preparations were underway for a possible meeting involving Russian President Vladimir Putin, President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has opposed negotiations determining his country’s future without Ukrainian participation.
“It can be acceptable only when we are at the table of negotiations,” Zelenskyy said last month, discussing the proposed trilateral meeting.
“Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,” he added.
