Melania Trump Leaves Door Open to Ukraine Trip After Oleshky Ceasefire Claim

US First Lady Melania Trump has suggested she could travel to Ukraine in person, following reports that she helped arrange a ceasefire in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky.

She was asked by a reporter in Palm Beach whether a visit was planned. "We will see," she answered. President Donald Trump, standing alongside her, added that "it could happen." The couple were speaking to journalists after casting early votes in the midterm elections.

The exchange marked the first time the first lady had publicly discussed the Oleshky ceasefire since it was announced. She said she had spoken with both Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as part of her effort. "We talked. We signed the agreement," she said.

The president praised his wife's work and compared it favorably with that of his professional envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. "I think she's doing better than the professionals right now. She got a ceasefire. This has to do with children and people, elderly people," he said.

The White House announced the agreement on 23 October. It said Melania Trump had secured a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in Oleshky, a city where a humanitarian disaster is currently unfolding.

The first lady received international recognition for the achievement. However, questions emerged on Saturday about the part played by Pope Leo, after it became known that he had also phoned Zelenskyy and Putin to urge them to accept a ceasefire in Oleshky. According to the report, the pontiff contacted Putin on 16 October and spoke to Zelenskyy three days later. Both calls came several days before the first lady announced that a deal had been reached.

Democrats accused Melania Trump of claiming credit for the Pope's efforts. Both Russia and Ukraine, however, have confirmed that she played a role in brokering the agreement.