Melania Trump Hosts Rare White House Meeting on Ukraine-Russia Ceasefire

First lady Melania Trump will host representatives from Russia and Ukraine at the White House on Thursday.

The meeting focuses on the humanitarian ceasefire she helped broker in the occupied city of Oleshky.

The six-day truce ran from Oct. 27 to Nov. 1.

It allowed for the evacuation of hundreds of residents from the city in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region.

Oleshky was home to some 2,000 remaining residents who were on the brink of starvation.

The White House described the ceasefire as an “unprecedented diplomatic initiative.”

It called it the longest localized pause in hostilities since the war began in 2022.

The first lady’s office said the achievement was “an unprecedented diplomatic initiative by an American First Lady.”

The White House said Melania independently initiated engagement between the two warring countries.

She secured a ceasefire in Oleshky and surrounding areas of Kherson Oblast.

The evacuation followed a humanitarian operation that began on Oct. 27.

The main phase started on Oct. 30 after demining operations and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Who will attend from the Russian side?

Russia is expected to send human rights commissioner Yana Lantratova.

Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and an adviser for international economic cooperation, is also expected.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed their plans to meet Melania Trump on Thursday.

He said the meeting would happen “provided that all logistical arrangements work out.”

Who will attend from the Ukrainian side?

Ukraine’s ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets is expected to attend.

Senior lawmaker David Arakhamia, who heads President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s ruling faction in parliament, will also be part of the delegation.

Arakhamia’s office confirmed his attendance to NBC News.

Ukraine has not officially confirmed the full list of attendees.

Why this meeting matters

This appears to be the first time both sides will meet face-to-face at the White House.

The meeting comes as the Trump administration pushes for progress in broader peace negotiations.

The United States is set to lead renewed trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, next week.

The losses suffered by Republicans in the midterm elections dealt a setback to President Donald Trump and his foreign policy.

That injected more uncertainty into the American approach to the conflict.

It is unclear what exactly the gathering is designed to achieve.

It is also unclear whether President Trump or any of his envoys will attend.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Melania’s role in the Oleshky ceasefire

The ceasefire in Oleshky was the first major humanitarian initiative Melania has led.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded her the Order of Princess Olga, 1st Class, for her role in the Oleshky humanitarian efforts.

It is Ukraine’s highest honor for women.

Zelenskyy recognized her for brokering the truce that allowed civilians to escape the occupied city.

The White House said the first lady independently initiated engagement between the two warring countries.

This marks a significant shift in the first lady’s public role.

Melania has largely stayed out of the political spotlight during her husband’s second term.

Her involvement in the Oleshky ceasefire brought her into direct diplomatic work.

The meeting on Thursday expands that role further.

Background on Oleshky

Oleshky is a small city in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region.

It has been under Russian occupation since early in the war.

The city was home to about 2,000 remaining residents before the ceasefire.

Many were cut off from food, water and medical supplies.

The humanitarian operation aimed to evacuate civilians and deliver aid.

Demining operations were necessary before aid could reach the area.