Melania Trump brokers ceasefire in Russian-occupied Ukraine city, White House says

US first lady Melania Trump has brokered a coming ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine in the war-ravaged Ukrainian city of Oleshky to allow for humanitarian aid and the evacuation of civilians, the White House announced on Friday.

The localised ceasefire is set to begin Thursday, with the American first lady saying in a news release that the situation there is “on the brink of disaster”.

The White House said Melania Trump had initiated the discussions and that she and a representative worked directly with Russian and Ukrainian leadership to define the terms of the ceasefire.

There was no immediate confirmation of the ceasefire from Ukraine, but Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was grateful to the first lady for helping organise the Oleshky mission.