By Janet Ekstract, NEW YORK – Spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Stephane Dujarric, in a briefing on October 23, said Guterres lauded the announcement of a negotiated ceasefire in Oleshky, Ukraine, announced by U.S. First Lady Melania Trump who media sources said directly assisted in securing the ceasefire. Dujarric said the U.N. chief commended the efforts of everyone who contributed to the ceasefire and said Guterres is hopeful that other steps could help relieve the dire humanitarian situation in Oleshky. Dujarric said that Guterres expressed the need to “enable urgent provision of life-saving assistance, as well as the safe and voluntary evacuation of the town’s residents in a manner strictly compliant with international humanitarian law.” In his statement, Guterres added that he hopes “such arrangements can be extended to other areas where civilians are suffering.” Dujarric further stated: “The Secretary-General also hopes that this announcement will bring an urgently needed deescalation with an aim to bring about an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire, as an important step towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations.
Meanwhile, the White House commented that U.S. First Lady Melania Trump “successfully secured” the ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky. In a formal statement, the White House said Melania Trump and one of her representatives had been working “directly with Russian and Ukrainian leadership to define the terms of the localized ceasefire.” Sources said Melania made this statement: “Non-military, civilian leaders from both countries will work together to visit Oleshky residents in their homes and determine the level of assistance they require.” Melania Trump added: “Residents who wish to evacuate will receive coordinated support and transportation to their preferred destination I anticipate some will want to go to Russia, and some to Ukraine.” She further stated that Oleshky residents “have limited electricity, live amid mined roads, and endure regular military attacks” and that “without my intervention, the possibility to bring humanitarian aid into the city and to evacuate the elderly would be impossible.”
It’s unclear how long the ceasefire will remain in place once it takes effect, next week but Ukrainian MP Davyd Arakhamia who heads President Volodymyr Zelensky’s party in parliament said: “an operation to unblock the settlement of Oleshky and its surroundings will begin in the near future.” Arakhamia added: “To achieve this goal, a ceasefire will be achieved in the near future as announced by the First Lady of the United States, Melania Trump.” Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that “those who wish to do so, will be able to leave this settlement.” Peskov gave credit to Melania Trump for her “significant contribution,” and said that Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed the situation in a recent call as CNN reported earlier. In a statement Peskov said: “The military is working to coordinate a ceasefire in that area to facilitate this humanitarian mission. Those who wish to leave the settlement will be able to do so. Naturally, this requires extensive and complex preparation, involving a wide range of different representatives.” Both Russian and Ukrainian officials confirmed on October 23, the limited ceasefire. Ukrainian authorities said about 1,700 civilians remain in the city and supply routes for food and medicine were blocked. The Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement said it would implement the ceasefire in the region, starting at 4 a.m. Moscow time on October 27. Ukrainian officials said they will do the same at 3 a.m. Kyiv time on the same day.
