Zelenskyy heralded ceasefire in Oleshky; US first lady hopes for peace

Speaking at the Ibero-American Summit in Madrid, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy heralded the recent six-day ceasefire in Oleshky.

Meanwhile, speaking at a White House event celebrating the temporary ceasefire, which was attended by Russian and Ukrainian officials, US First Lady Melania Trump, who brokered the ceasefire, expressed hope a lasting peace between Moscow and Kyiv could be achieved.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the recent humanitarian operation in Oleshky proved "something very simple." "When Vladimir Putin wants the fighting to stop, it stops. And there was real silence, no attacks some days, and we saved hundreds of lives," Zelenskyy said speaking at the Ibero-American summit in Madrid.

His remarks referred to the localised ceasefire brokered by US first lady Melania Trump in Oleshky, which ended on November 1. A six-day ceasefire in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky in the southwestern Ukrainian region of Kherson was the most significant truce between Kyiv and Moscow since 2022, and allowing the evacuation of residents from the shattered city.

Zelenskyy awarded the first lady the Order of Princess Olga, 1st class, an honour for women who have made an outstanding contribution to the Ukrainian state.

Meanwhile, speaking at a White House event celebrating the temporary ceasefire, which was attended by Russian and Ukrainian officials, US First Lady Melania Trump expressed hope a lasting peace between Moscow and Kyiv could be brokered.

MELANIA TRUMP: "I hope Oleshky inspires greater peace. Every significant transformation begins with a small spark. What matters is not the modesty of this beginning, but the determination to turn into something extraordinary. Now we must use the courage we brought to Oleshky to find common ground through a shared concern for the suffering of innocent people. Together, we can create something more enduring than a temporary ceasefire."

Kirill Dmitriev, an envoy to Russian President Vladimir Putin thanked Melania for her "distinguished humanitarian role." He added Putin personally gave instructions as part of the operation and sent his thanks to Melania Trump.

KIRIL DMITRIEV: "On behalf of President Putin, on behalf of people of the Russian Federation, we would like to thank First Lady Melania Trump for her distinguished humanitarian role in resolving Oleshky situation and resolving this humanitarian issue. In ensuring that agreements become actions, and actions save lives, let us continue making great humanitarian contributions we can together. Let us build a future of peace, partnership, and prosperity for the benefit of our families, our children, and future generations."

US President Donald Trump said "a big agreement" to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict could be reached soon and might involve all of Europe. Trump did not explain what the proposed agreement would entail, which countries would be involved or the potential concessions that both sides might make.