Russia and Ukraine on Friday confirmed a temporary ceasefire in the Russian-controlled city of Oleshky in Ukraine’s Kherson region, which was announced by US first lady Melania Trump.
Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov said Russia would cease fire in the Oleshky area at 4 am Moscow time on Oct. 27 to facilitate a humanitarian operation.
“To ensure the safety of people and the delivery of essential goods, engineering reconnaissance will be conducted, and the safe movement of a humanitarian convoy to the settlement of Oleshky in the Kherson Region will be facilitated,” Gerasimov said, according to the Defense Ministry.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, meanwhile, said military officials were working to arrange the truce to facilitate the operation, welcoming Melania Trump’s efforts to coordinate a localized ceasefire for humanitarian purposes.
“Those who wish to leave the town will be able to do so,” he said.
He said the operation requires extensive and complex preparations involving various parties, with Melania Trump playing a coordinating role.
Peskov said the issue was discussed in a recent telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his counterpart, US President Donald Trump.
Asked about the evacuation route, he said details would be provided by the Defense Ministry if they were cleared for public release.
Peskov said he could not predict how long the operation would take, but it could last at least several days.
On reports that the US leader had ordered the restoration of Starlink and Starshield capabilities over Ukrainian territory, Peskov said military-to-military cooperation between Washington and Kyiv had not been discontinued.
“There’s no need to look at things through rose-colored glasses,” he said, adding that Ukraine never stopped attempting to strike targets inside Russia.
However, he added, this did not prevent Moscow and Washington from coordinating on the humanitarian operation and reaching agreements on “complex details.”
“We are, of course, grateful to the American side, to the first lady, Mrs. Trump, and to Mr. Trump himself, President Trump, for their significant involvement in addressing humanitarian issues,” the spokesman said.
