First lady Melania Trump joined Russian and Ukrainian representatives at the White House on Thursday, describing a ceasefire in the Russian-occupied Oleshky region as a possible “spark” for lasting peace rather than merely a short-term pause in fighting.
“We have chosen humanity over war,” Trump said during the trilateral news conference. “The lives of innocent people must rise above the divisions created by war. I hope Oleshky becomes an inspiration for broader peace. Every meaningful transformation begins with a small spark.”
“Together, we can build something that lasts longer than a temporary ceasefire,” she continued, describing Oleshky as “a spark in a world of darkness” that can bring out the best in humanity.
Trump said she first learned of the humanitarian emergency in the region in September and then asked her representative, Marc Beckman, to begin discussions with Moscow and Kyiv. According to Trump, both governments agreed to work with her as an “exclusive intermediary” on a ceasefire covering Oleshky and the surrounding Kherson region, humanitarian assistance and a secure evacuation corridor for civilians.
Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev spoke next, saying President Vladimir Putin recognized President Donald Trump’s efforts to halt the violence.
David Arakhamia, leader of Ukraine’s Servant of the People party, sits beside Russian presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev during first lady Melania Trump’s White House remarks on the Oleshky ceasefire in Washington, D.C., Nov. 5, 2026. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)
“President Putin also values President Trump’s peace efforts and the work of his team on a plan to resolve the Ukrainian crisis,” Dmitriev said, in a rare appearance by a Russian diplomat at the White House. “President Trump asked President Putin to support several initiatives involving prisoner exchanges, the release of U.S. prisoners and humanitarian assistance. President Putin supported those ideas and initiatives.”
“Cooperation among Russia, Ukraine and the United States is important not only for our countries, but for the entire world,” he added. “Let us continue making meaningful humanitarian contributions and work together to build a future marked by peace, partnership and prosperity for our families, our children and generations to come.”
First lady Melania Trump, left, and civilians evacuated from Oleshky, Ukraine, in October 2022, during the early phase of the Russia-Ukraine war. (Umit Bektas/Reuters; Alexander Ermochenko/Reuters)
“Dear Melania, you have saved and touched so many lives,” Dmitriev said in closing.
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David Arakhamia, who leads Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s political party, described the Melania Trump-backed ceasefire as the “biggest de-escalation since 2022,” the year the war began.
“Madam first lady, I want to thank you. You have done an amazing job,” Arakhamia said. “When you and your team began this effort, about 5% of people believed it could succeed, while 95% were skeptical and said it would not work. Now that it has happened, those numbers have completely reversed: 95% believe we can achieve results like this, while only 5% remain skeptical.”
He added that peace is now a question of when, rather than whether, it will arrive.
Signature page of the Oleshky ceasefire agreement. (Provided to News Media)
The evacuation of frightened Ukrainians from the Russian-controlled city represents an important early step in discussions over how peace could be achieved and what the future may hold for the occupied territory in southern Ukraine.
“On the first day, people in the area did not believe it was really happening,” Arakhamia said. “They remained inside their homes, waiting to see whether the clock would turn backward. The following day, they began moving around their houses. By the day after that, they were visiting damaged homes and searching for their belongings.”
“It is deeply emotional to witness and oversee this process and understand what we are accomplishing,” he continued. “I believe we are building momentum as both sides learn the practical steps needed to preserve peace when it arrives.”
“I also want to sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart for doing this,” he added.
Dmitriev attended the White House event and held meetings with U.S. officials, sources told Reuters. Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, was also present.
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