U.S. First Lady Melania Trump and the Vatican dispute who brokered a ceasefire in Russian-occupied Oleshky, Ukraine, which could allow 1,700 residents to evacuate or receive aid. The truce, set to last until November 1, is the first localized pause in the war.
Trump claimed she mediated the ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, citing her role in ensuring humanitarian aid and evacuation. The Vatican, however, asserts that Pope Leo XIV facilitated the truce through phone calls with Russian and Ukrainian leaders.
Both sides acknowledge the ceasefire, but the dispute over its origins highlights the complex negotiations and humanitarian concerns in the besieged town. The truce is seen as a potential precedent for future localized ceasefires in the conflict.