Russia and Ukraine praise Melania Trump for Oleshky truce as aid and evacuations begin

Summary

Russia and Ukraine both praised US First Lady Melania Trump on Thursday, October 29, for helping to broker a localised truce around Oleshky, a Russian-held Ukrainian town where residents are acutely deprived. Efforts began to bring in food and medicines and to enable hundreds of people to leave. A humanitarian aid mission is set to enter the town, a Ukrainian official said, as the truce held for a third day. Some 2,000 residents of the Russian-occupied city have been cut off from essential supplies, and reports say many are starving. Russia and Ukraine also said demining operations in Oleshky were complete and that the humanitarian operation would proceed.

Timeline

1. The Straits Times

   29 Oct 2026, 09:16 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that Russia and Ukraine both praised US first lady Melania Trump on Thursday for helping broker a truce around the acutely deprived Russian-held town of Oleshky, as efforts began to bring in food and medicines and enable hundreds to leave.

2. France 24

   29 Oct 2026, 16:19 UTCSource ↗

   France 24 reports that a humanitarian aid mission is set to enter Oleshky, a Ukrainian official said, as a localised truce brokered by Melania Trump held for a third day, and that some 2,000 residents of the Russian-occupied city have been cut off from essential supplies amid reports that many are starving.

3. The Straits Times

   29 Oct 2026, 20:56 UTCSource ↗

   The Straits Times reports that Russia and Ukraine say Oleshky demining operations are complete and the humanitarian operation will proceed.