“Hope Oleschky inspires greater peace” – Melania Trump receives Putin confidant Dmitriev

Kremlin negotiator Kirill Dmitriev spoke at the White House at the invitation of First Lady Melania Trump. On behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin, he thanked her for her “outstanding humanitarian role” in brokering a ceasefire in the Russian-occupied front-line town of Oleshky.

The ceasefire last week lasted from Tuesday to Sunday evening - Russia and Ukraine had already thanked the First Lady several times for it.

It was an unusual appearance in the White House for Dmitriev. Putin's confidant had already held talks with US representatives there in April 2025, albeit away from the public. According to US media reports, the fact that he took the floor himself at an officially announced event is a first. It was apparently the first time that representatives of Russia and Ukraine met in person in the White House.

In addition to Dmitriyev, representatives of the Ukrainian side were also invited: the parliamentary group leader of the presidential party, David Arachamija, and the human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets. Arachamija also thanked Melanie Trump and asked her to initiate further diplomatic initiatives.

The First Lady advocates a permanent ceasefire in Ukraine. The six-day ceasefire in the southern Ukrainian town of Oleschky could serve as a model. The brief ceasefire in Oleschky expired on Sunday.

“I hope Oleschky inspires greater peace,” the first lady said at a joint press conference. Any significant change begins “with a small spark,” she added. She presented Dmitriyev and Arachamia with letters to Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Zelensky honored Melania Trump with a national medal on Wednesday for her efforts on Oleschky's behalf. He was honoring her “significant personal contribution to humanitarian support for Ukraine as well as her active commitment to human rights and charity,” said the presidential office in Kiev.

Three-way talks in Abu Dhabi next week

Under President Donald Trump, the USA sees itself as a mediator in the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, which has been ongoing for more than four and a half years. However, Trump has not yet been able to demonstrate a breakthrough. He recently caused criticism in his own country with his rapprochement with Russia.

In the struggle to end the Russian war, three-way talks between representatives from Kiev, Moscow and Washington are planned in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, next week. The meeting should take place at working level. Negotiations in the three-way format of the USA, Russia and Ukraine were last held in Geneva in February, and twice before that in Abu Dhabi.

dpa/saha