Melania Trump announces start of regional ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine

By Kerry Picket - The Washington Times - Tuesday, October 27, 2026

First lady Melania Trump announced a regional ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia that began early Tuesday morning.

Russia and Ukraine began observing a localized ceasefire in the ravaged southern Ukrainian city of Oleshky on Tuesday, before the planned humanitarian mission that the White House said was brokered by Mrs. Trump.

Moscow, however, continued its deadly missile strikes on other Ukrainian cities in the interim.

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“THE CEASEFIRE HAS COMMENCED. The ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia took effect at 4:00 am Moscow time on October 27, 2026,” Mrs. Trump said on social media.

“Timing was accelerated two days ahead of schedule to protect the safety of civilians and to facilitate the delivery of critical humanitarian aid.”

She added, “The ceasefire’s geographic area has expanded beyond Oleshky, within the Kherson Region, to provide safe passage for the humanitarian convoys. General Valery Gerasimov, Joint Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, has confirmed.”

According to her office, Mrs. Trump spearheaded the discussions with civilian negotiators from Russia and Ukraine after meeting with U.N. officials who briefed her on the situation in Oleshky.

Russian drones have frequently hit Ukrainian soldiers and civilians in Ukrainian-held parts of the Kherson region, which includes Oleshky, the Associated Press reported.

Russian and Ukrainian negotiators and military officials confirmed to the AP in separate statements that the Oleshky ceasefire had begun.

Pope Leo XIV met earlier this month with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin and urged both to allow humanitarian aid into Oleshky and the safe evacuation of civilians.

Negotiators involved in the aid mission said doctors, medicines, food supplies and water would be sent to Oleshky before evacuation corridors opened.

Previous attempts at regional ceasefires immediately evaporated or never took hold during the more than four years of war, with peace efforts undermined by the deep mistrust between Russia and Ukraine.

— This article is based in part on wire service reports.