Zelensky awarded Melania Trump Ukraine’s Order of Princess Olga after Oleshky ceasefire
A state honour for Melania Trump
Zelensky awarded Melania Trump the Order of Princess Olga, 1st class. The award recognises women for exceptional contributions in areas including science, education, culture and charitable work.
Six-day pause in Oleshky fighting
The ceasefire lasted six days and was described as the longest local pause in fighting since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. Earlier attempts to pause the fighting either failed to take hold or quickly unravelled.
Melania Trump said nearly 800 people were evacuated during the ceasefire. She described Oleshky as a frontline city facing a crisis, saying its remaining residents were mainly elderly people needing medical attention, medicine, food and clean water.
White House meeting planned Thursday
Melania Trump is set to host representatives of Russia and Ukraine at the White House on Thursday. She called the gathering an “extraordinary moment in American history.” The meeting comes as both sides seek US President Donald Trump’s approval while he pushes for a peace settlement that has remained elusive.
Key points
- Zelensky awarded Melania Trump the Order of Princess Olga, 1st class.
- The six-day ceasefire was the longest local pause in fighting since Russia’s 2022 invasion.
- Melania Trump said nearly 800 people were evacuated during the pause.
- She is due to host Russian and Ukrainian representatives at the White House on Thursday.