First lady Melania Trump will convene Russian and Ukrainian representatives at the White House on Thursday, her office announced in a statement.
The first lady is also scheduled to give remarks about a temporary ceasefire in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky in southern Ukraine, which she helped negotiate.
“This event represents an extraordinary moment in American history,” the first lady’s office said on Tuesday, adding that she “independently initiated” the deal between the two warring nations.
The six-day ceasefire, which officially ended Nov. 1, was the longest pause in hostilities since Russia mounted its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
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Residents of Oleskhy have suffered severe food, water, energy and health care shortages due to a deliberate humanitarian blockade imposed by Russian forces in May. That comes after the 2023 destruction of the Kakhovka Dam triggered massive floods that severed the city’s utility networks.
The temporary ceasefire allowed hundreds of residents to evacuate the front lines to be reunited with family and critical aid.
The humanitarian crisis was first brought to the first lady’s attention “during a private discussion” at her Fostering the Future Together event during the 81st United Nations General Assembly last month, according to her office. She wrote on X Sunday that she hopes the ceasefire “serves as a foundation for lasting peace between both nations.”
“The mission was a success, delivering critical aid to the region and enabling the evacuation of nearly 800 people,” she added.
The announcement did not specify which foreign leaders will attend Thursday’s meeting or provide details about the White House’s diplomatic agenda.
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