No power, no water and winter approaching: How Melania Trump got involved in rescuing Ukraine’s forgotten city after weeks of unusual negotiations

A Ukrainian city where residents have endured months without electricity, running water or reliable access to essential supplies may finally receive humanitarian relief. Oleshky, which falls under the Russian occupation in the southern region of Kherson, is ready for a temporary ceasefire that will ensure delivery of relief goods and evacuations in the weeks following discussions between the parties, including Russia, Ukraine, and a surprising mediator – US First Lady Melania Trump. The deal agreed upon by representatives of the three countries on Friday will give only a chance for civilians to have some food, medicine and other basic needs delivered, as well as the chance to leave the area.

Yet, the deal is fragile, with some practical information not yet disclosed.

According to the Associated Press, Melania Trump became involved after learning about Oleshky’s deteriorating humanitarian conditions during an event on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September. She and a representative subsequently worked with Russian and Ukrainian leadership to negotiate the terms of the temporary pause.


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The stakes are particularly high as winter approaches.

Oleshky’s remaining residents face shortages of food and medical supplies, damaged infrastructure and dangerous routes out of the city. Whether the agreement can translate into meaningful relief will depend on the implementation of the ceasefire and the safe movement of humanitarian convoys.

Inside Oleshky’s humanitarian crisis as winter approaches

The city of Oleshky is situated on the Dnipro River in the Kherson area of Ukraine, which has been partly occupied by Russia. The city was captured by the Russian forces at the very beginning of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Before the war, about 24,000 people were living in Oleshky.

A new disaster happened in June 2023 when catastrophic floods took place after the Kakhovka Dam was destroyed. According to an Associated Press investigation, the destruction of the dam was most probably done by the Russian military.

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Floodwaters devastated communities across the region, and hundreds of residents were killed.

Conditions in Oleshky have since become increasingly difficult for those who remain.

There is no electricity, heating or access to running water available, and food and medical supplies are becoming scarce. In addition to damaged roads and mines, there is a looming threat of attacks by drones.

Furthermore, the arrival of winter is an additional complication. With no reliable heating, water supply and access to medical help, citizens are increasingly threatened by hypothermia, starvation and disease.

The government of Ukraine has been calling for a ceasefire on the local level to make evacuation possible. According to international humanitarian law, the occupying power has to fulfil certain responsibilities towards civilians living in occupied territories.

The newly signed agreement offers an opportunity to provide help in at least some cases, though the scope of the undertaking and how many civilians can be evacuated is yet to be seen.

How Melania Trump became involved in the Russia-Ukraine negotiations

Melania Trump’s role in the agreement emerged through her ongoing work concerning children affected by conflict.

The White House said she learned about the situation in Oleshky during an event associated with the September UN General Assembly session and subsequently helped initiate discussions with Russian and Ukrainian leadership.

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman and chief negotiator in the talks, said the process continued over several weeks as the parties explored ways to deliver assistance to civilians. The negotiations involved developing arrangements intended to make the humanitarian operation possible despite the ongoing conflict.

Her involvement comes after earlier efforts to address the consequences of Russia’s invasion for displaced children and separated families.

Last year, Melania Trump wrote to Russian President Vladimir Putin about children displaced by the war. Her senior adviser, Marc Beckman, has said she helped reunite nearly three dozen children with their families.

The issue remains deeply contentious.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine, has continually made calls for help to repatriate children who were reportedly deported to Russia when the invasion was underway.

In 2023, the International Criminal Court charged Putin with the crime of war because of allegations that he has been involved in the deportation and transfer of children from Ukraine.

The Oleshky talks are yet another humanitarian endeavour aimed at offering immediate help and allowing civilians to leave the area that poses danger to them.

Nonetheless, the involvement of Melania Trump should not be seen as part of the overall peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. It is about one particular place and a set period of time. Its success will be contingent upon the cooperation of the parties responsible for the implementation of its terms.

Ceasefire, humanitarian aid and evacuations: What happens next?

Three major steps are listed in the agreement: the temporary halt of the fighting process, the provision of humanitarian aid and the evacuation of people who wish to leave Oleshky.

Based on the information provided by Lubinets, it is necessary to de-mine the roads in order to allow the entrance of the aid convoy into the city. The cessation of the fighting process is supposed to start on Tuesday, while the humanitarian mission should start two days later.

According to the statement of Russia’s chief of the general staff, General Valery Gerasimov, the Russian forces would cease shooting at the Kherson front starting from 4 a.m. on Tuesday (Moscow time).

He also said Russian forces would conduct engineering reconnaissance and take steps to facilitate the movement of the humanitarian convoy.

Ukraine’s General Staff announced a start time of 3 a.m. Kyiv time, reflecting the difference in clock changes between Ukraine and Russia.

Russian human rights ombudswoman Yana Lantratova said the initial work would involve determining residents’ needs before distributing food, medicines, hygiene products and other essential supplies. She also said civilians wishing to leave the combat zone would be guaranteed safe passage.

But there are still unresolved issues. The representatives of authorities have yet to disclose the conditions for monitoring compliance with the ceasefire, time frames for evacuation and whether those people will be transferred to the area controlled by Ukraine or Russia.

According to Lubinets, the procedure will be very tough and will take much time.

Also, it should be noted that this ceasefire was negotiated amid a very complex period of relations between Washington and Kyiv.

Differences of opinion regarding provision of military assistance, sanctions imposed on Russia and attempts to relaunch the peace negotiations made the situation even more complicated.

For the residents of Oleshky, though, the issue is much more down-to-earth than the political disagreement – it is access to food, medicines, potable water and an opportunity to leave the city.

This short-term ceasefire opens a window for resolving all these issues, although it is only the first stage. The importance of this agreement will be defined by the arrival of humanitarian aid and the safe evacuation of civilians.