Ukraine War: Volodymyr Zelenskyj awards medal to Melania Trump over Oleshky ceasefire

A few days ago, the USA surprisingly announced a local ceasefire in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. This ceasefire was brokered in the front-line town of Oleschky in the Russian occupied territory in southern Ukraine, which has been sealed off for months. By Melania Trump, wife of US President Donald Trump. This was intended to enable humanitarian aid and the evacuation of the civilian population. For these efforts, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has now awarded Melania Trump a state medal.

The First Lady of the USA receives the Order of Princess Olga, First Class, with which Ukraine honors women for outstanding achievements in the charitable or social sector. This emerges from a decree published by Ukraine.

It says that Trump is receiving the award for, among other things, her "significant personal contribution to humanitarian support for Ukraine, her active commitment to human rights and charitable activities to protect Ukrainian children."

According to Washington, the humanitarian ceasefire is an initiative of the White House. According to US President Trump's administration, First Lady Melania Trump personally brokered the local ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv. Pope Leo XIV also asked for help for Oleschky in a telephone conversation with Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin.

The evacuation of civilians from Oleshky was completed on Sunday. It was the longest local ceasefire since the start of the war. "This is the biggest de-escalation since 2022," wrote the parliamentary group leader of Ukrainian President Zelensky's party, David Arachamija, on Telegram. "Every such effort to de-escalate brings the long-awaited peace closer," he said.