Trump met Putin envoy as visiting Ukrainian officials addressed White House event

White House talks and remarks

Trump confirmed he spoke with Dmitriev, an envoy of Russian President Vladimir Putin, at the White House on Thursday. He declined to provide details, but said an agreement was taking shape and could involve more than Ukraine, potentially encompassing all of Europe.

Trump did not meet with the visiting Ukrainian officials, who also spoke at the event. They included Davyd Arakhamia, head of the parliamentary faction of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s party, and Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets.

Officials praise Melania Trump

The event recognized first lady Melania Trump’s role in arranging a ceasefire in Oleshky. Dmitriev thanked her for what he called her “distinguished humanitarian role” in securing the truce.

Arakhamia praised her efforts and urged her to continue helping Ukrainians and pursuing de-escalation. Melania Trump said she hoped the ceasefire could last longer and extend more widely.

Aid and evacuation in Oleshky

The local ceasefire lasted from Oct. 27 to Nov. 1. Supplies reached Oleshky during the six-day period, while hundreds of residents crossed into Ukrainian-held territory in a major evacuation operation.

Oleshky, once home to about 24,000 people, lies on the Dnipro River, separating Ukrainian forces from Russian occupiers. Food and medical supplies had been scarce for months, and the city had no electricity, heat or running water.

A fragile truce amid war

The White House announced on Oct. 23 that Melania Trump had brokered the truce to support humanitarian aid deliveries and civilian evacuations. It was the most significant ceasefire since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

People remaining in the city faced the risks of hunger and disease as winter approached. Ukraine had repeatedly appealed for a local ceasefire to organize evacuations; Russia, as the occupying power, is obligated under international law to provide civilians under its control with what they need to survive.

Peace between Russia and Ukraine has remained out of reach. Since returning to office nearly two years ago, Trump has alternately pressed both countries to end the war, while Melania Trump’s role in the ceasefire has drawn her further into foreign affairs.