Ukrainian, Russian and US negotiators reached the agreement on Friday, October 23, 2026.
Ukraine’s chief negotiator, Dmytro Lubinets, told The Associated Press (AP) that the ceasefire would begin on October 27 and last several days, ahead of the planned humanitarian mission.
The White House had initially announced October 29 as the ceasefire start date.
However, subsequent statements from Ukrainian and Russian officials indicated that the truce would take effect two days earlier.
Oleshky, located in Ukraine’s Kherson region along the Dnipro River, has endured severe shortages of food and medical supplies.
Russian forces captured the city in February 2022, and its infrastructure suffered further damage following flooding in June 2023 after the collapse of the Kakhovka Dam.
Before the war, Oleshky had approximately 24,000 residents. Today, an estimated 1,700 to 2,000 people remain, primarily older residents who face difficult living conditions.
The White House said the remaining population urgently needs food, clean water and medical assistance.
Melania Trump initiated discussions after learning about the humanitarian crisis during an event on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September.
According to the White House, she and her representative subsequently worked directly with Russian and Ukrainian leaders to establish the terms of the agreement.
Lubinets, Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman, said the operation would proceed in stages, beginning with mine clearance before humanitarian supplies are delivered and civilians are assisted in leaving.
“The operation will be carried out gradually and is extremely challenging to implement,” Lubinets said in a video message.
Russia’s Chief of the General Staff, General Valery Gerasimov, said Russian forces would suspend firing in the Kherson region from 4 a.m. Moscow time on October 27 to facilitate the operation. He also said Russian forces would help ensure the safe passage of humanitarian convoys.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov welcomed Melania Trump’s involvement, saying Moscow was grateful for her efforts.
The first lady said civilians wishing to leave would receive coordinated assistance and transportation to their preferred destinations, whether in Russia or Ukraine.
She also said an American media organization would accompany and document the operation to help ensure families’ wishes were respected.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the announcement, expressing hope that the local pause in fighting could contribute to broader efforts toward a comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine.
The agreement is limited to the humanitarian operation and does not represent a nationwide ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
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