US First Lady Melania Trump held a White House meeting with Russian and Ukrainian representatives on the outcome of the humanitarian mission in Oleshky. Russia was represented by Ombudsman Yana Lantratova and presidential special representative Kirill Dmitriev. Ukraine was represented by Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets and David Arakhamia, head of the parliamentary faction of the Servant of the People party.
In her remarks, Trump said she had taken part in every stage of preparations for the humanitarian mission. “Mine-clearance plans and aerial photographs were studied, road conditions were assessed, and evacuation routes, the availability of medical facilities, the possibility of using transport, and the distribution of medical resources were discussed. I was aware of every detail concerning the operation’s duration and timing. There would have been no ceasefire without me,” she said.
Melania Trump said she hoped the six-day ceasefire reached in Oleshky would lead to “more durable peace.” “I hope the Oleshky experience will become an impetus for achieving more durable peace. Every major change begins with a small spark,” she said.
According to Trump, about 800 people were taken out of Oleshky. Neither the Russian nor the Ukrainian side provided an exact figure. In an interview shortly after the humanitarian mission ended, Yana Lantratova said 750 people had been given the opportunity to go to Ukraine or Russia, though not everyone accepted the offer. Dmytro Lubinets said the sides had agreed not to disclose how many people went from Oleshky to Ukraine and how many went to Russia.
Trump also said the ceasefire in Oleshky would not have been possible without the presidents of Russia and Ukraine. She said their cooperation created an important precedent for advancing peace throughout the region. Trump handed personal letters to Arakhamia and Dmitriev for delivery to Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin. Dmitriev thanked her for saving “many lives” and gave her a drawing by 11-year-old Lidiya, who was evacuated from the city, bearing the words: “I love Melania.”
