First Lady Melania Trump hosted Ukrainian and Russian negotiators at the White House, calling for a lasting peace deal between the two nations. The meeting, the first of its kind, comes as the conflict nears its fifth year.
Trump highlighted the success of a temporary cease-fire in the city of Oleshky, which she helped broker, leading to the evacuation of 800 citizens and the delivery of humanitarian aid. She expressed hope that this initiative could pave the way for a more enduring resolution, stating, "What matters is not the modesty of this beginning, but the determination to turn it into something extraordinary."
Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets and his Russian counterpart Yana Lantratova, who oversaw the Oleshky evacuations, were present for the closed-door discussions. Also in attendance was Kirill Dmitriev, Russia's special envoy who has previously represented the Kremlin in US-brokered peace talks.
The temporary cease-fire in Oleshky demonstrates the possibility of de-escalation and humanitarian efforts amidst the ongoing conflict.