White House says Oleshky ceasefire set for October 29

The White House said Friday that Melania Trump helped negotiate a localized ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the occupied city of Oleshky, with the pause scheduled to begin October 29 to enable humanitarian aid and civilian evacuations. The announcement described a temporary suspension of military operations in the southern Ukrainian city. The White House said Trump initiated discussions and, with a representative, worked directly with Russian and Ukrainian leadership to define the terms. The arrangement has not yet taken effect, and the announcement did not specify its duration or detailed security guarantees. Neither the Russian nor Ukrainian government had publicly commented on the announcement by Friday, according to the reports. The White House said civilian teams from both countries would assess residents’ needs and coordinate assistance. Residents wishing to leave are expected to receive transportation to a destination of their choice, which could be in either country, Trump said in a statement. The plan is intended to address acute needs in Oleshky, which has been under Russian occupation since the early days of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. The city...