Melania Trump to Host Russia and Ukraine Representatives at White House

WASHINGTON—First Lady Melania Trump will host representatives from Russia and Ukraine at the White House on Nov. 5, marking a major diplomatic initiative as the conflict persists between the two countries.

The White House announced the meeting on Nov. 3, describing it as an “extraordinary moment in American history.”

The announcement was made after a temporary ceasefire between the two nations in the Kremlin-controlled city of Oleshky expired on Nov. 1. The first lady helped secure the six-day pause to facilitate humanitarian aid and civilian evacuations.

“Mrs. Trump independently initiated engagement between the two warring nations and successfully secured a ceasefire in Oleshky and the surrounding Kherson region,” the first lady’s office said in the statement on Nov. 3.

“This achievement marks an unprecedented diplomatic initiative by an American First Lady.”

During the White House event, Melania Trump is expected to deliver remarks on the ceasefire.

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She commended both Russia and Ukraine, adding that she hoped the move “serves as a foundation for lasting peace between both nations.”

Both sides also described the six-day ceasefire that began on Oct. 27 as successful.

In a Nov. 1 post on X, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets praised the cessation of hostilities in the city as an “important step” in Moscow and Kyiv’s humanitarian efforts.

“Throughout this period, both sides honored their commitments. This made it possible to deliver humanitarian aid to Oleshky and help civilians who wished to leave the city safely,” he said.

Russian Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova also confirmed on Nov. 2 that no ceasefire violations occurred during the agreed timeframe and expressed her “deep gratitude” to the first lady for her role, according to Russian state news agency TASS.

According to the Ukrainian military general staff, 167 civilians had been evacuated to safer areas of the Kherson region.

Lantratova said Russia provided a convoy of 25 buses with enough room to transport 750 people, TASS reported.

The White House earlier said that about 1,700–2,000 residents were in Oleshky, mostly older people.

On Nov. 2, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said Moscow highly appreciated the coordination between all parties throughout the pause.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also praised the first lady in an interview on the “This Week on Capitol Hill” podcast that aired on Oct. 31, calling Melania Trump’s intervention the “first such case” in which Russia had agreed to a ceasefire.

“I hope it [the initiative] can continue. If it continues and such signals come from America again, it will be absolutely great, and we will support it,” Zelenskyy said.

Despite the ceasefire’s success, within hours of its expiration, both sides accused one another of using the break in fighting to strengthen their military positions.

Guy Birchall contributed to this report.