Washington: US First Lady Melania Trump on Sunday commended Russia and Ukraine for their cooperation during a five-day humanitarian ceasefire in Oleshky, saying the arrangement facilitated the delivery of critical aid and the evacuation of nearly 800 people from the conflict-affected region.
In a post on X, Melania announced that the localised ceasefire, which began on October 27, concluded on November 1 as planned.
"The mission was a success, delivering critical aid to the region and enabling the evacuation of nearly 800 people," she said, commending Russia and Ukraine for their leadership and cooperation. She also expressed hope that the Oleshky ceasefire would serve as a foundation for lasting peace between the two countries.
Earlier on Sunday, Melania described the humanitarian arrangement as an opportunity for residents of Oleshky and the surrounding Kherson region to access essential supplies, including food, clean water and medicines, while moving without the constant threat of attacks.
The localised ceasefire agreement was negotiated between Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets and Russia's Commissioner for Human Rights Yana Lantratova, with mediation from the US First Lady.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Melania for her mediation efforts. He said roads leading to Oleshky had been cleared of mines during the ceasefire and humanitarian assistance had been delivered.
Zelenskyy also said people requiring evacuation had been transported out of the city and surrounding communities, with Ukrainian citizens subsequently crossing into Ukraine through the Chernihiv region.
The ceasefire had been arranged to facilitate a humanitarian mission into the Russian-occupied town in southern Ukraine, where up to 2,000 people were stranded with dwindling supplies of food and medicine, according to the United Nations.
Residents had been unable to leave because of explosive mines and drone attacks in the area. Melania's office had said she led talks with civilian negotiators from Russia and Ukraine after meeting United Nations officials who briefed her on the situation.
The humanitarian arrangement came ahead of another round of US-brokered talks between Russia and Ukraine expected next month, aimed at ending the war, which has continued for more than four and a half years.
Meanwhile, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said Russian President Vladimir Putin had never refused to speak with Zelenskyy.
"I think he would answer, of course. Putin has never refused to talk," Ushakov said, according to TASS. He added that Zelenskyy was free to travel to Moscow if he genuinely wanted negotiations.
(With agency inputs from ANI and AP via PTI)