LIVE: First Lady Melania Trump Delivers Remarks on Russia–Ukraine Ceasefire in Kherson Region

Good morning and welcome. Oleschke will forever unite the brave individuals gathered at the White House today. We have chosen humanity over war. Undeniably, the lives of innocent people must transcend the division of war. I hope Oleschke inspires greater peace. Every significant transformation begins with a small spark. What matters is not the modesty of this beginning, but the determination to turn into something extraordinary. Now we must use the courage we brought to Oleschki to find common ground through a shared concern for the suffering of innocent people. Together we can create something more enduring than a temporary ceasefire. Let us use, let us see Oleschke As a spark in a world of darkness, capable of illuminating the best in humanity, build a powerful flame of peace visible to the world, ignite hope, foster cooperation, and brighten a path toward lasting peace. I became aware of the severity of the humanitarian crisis in Olashki in September. Recognizing the urgency, I acted immediately and directed my representative Mark Backman to engage with Russia and Ukraine on my behalf to pursue peace in Oleshki. Both nations welcomed my participation, acknowledging that previous efforts to establish a ceasefire in the region had not succeeded. Russia and Ukraine honor our relationship. and agreed to work with me in the capacity of exclusive intermediary to establish a ceasefire in Oleshki and the surrounding Kursk region. Our shared objective was to deliver critical humanitarian aid to Oleshki residents and establish safe evacuation routes for civilians. My role as an exclusive intermediary was memorialized in written agreements drafted and signed by both Russia and Ukraine. Mark and I began our work using the communication channels we had previously previously established to reunite children with their families in Russia and Ukraine. Humanitarian, military and government officials from Russia and Ukraine work diligently to coordinate every aspect of the operation. I was involved in every stage of the planning. I reviewed the mining plans, aerial images, assessed roadways and discussed evacuation routes, hospital access, vehicles and medical resources. I was made aware of the preferred dates and timing of the operation. My communication with Russia and Ukraine was extensive, professional, detailed, and highly cooperative. Mark and I did everything possible to support both nations in advancing their shared commitment to reach a ceasefire in Oleshki. We fulfilled our responsibilities at every stage, collaborating with Russia and Ukraine teams through completion. Russia and Ukraine signed agreements in both languages on Friday, October 23rd, 2026. I commend both sides for your good faith efforts to define and implement all components of this sophisticated ceasefire. I would like to welcome Mr. Kirill Dmitrov, Special Envoy to President Putin of the Russian Federation, to the podium to say a few words. Dear First Lady Melania Trump, distinguished guests, dear friends, each of us is unique. Each of us can make a contribution that no one else can. And sometimes our greatest step is the simplest act of humanity. On behalf of President Putin, on behalf of the people of the Russian Federation, we would like to thank First Lady Melania Trump for her distinguished humanitarian role In resolving Oleshki situation and resolving this humanitarian issue, she played a crucial leadership role in coordinating humanitarian operation in Oleshki and reunifying Russian and Ukrainian families, in ensuring that agreements become actions, and actions save lives. President Putin personally gave all of the necessary instructions to ensure the successful implementation of the local ceasefire in Oleshki. Ukrainian side abided by ceasefire and this humanitarian mission shows what can be achieved when compassion, determination and cooperation come together. Also, security services, military services, commissioners for human rights, Mr. Lubinets, Ms. Lantratova for Russia and Ukraine played a critical role in ensuring this operation and success. Of course, Mark Beckman, advisor to First Lady, with whom we interacted on a daily basis, played an absolutely important role in making sure that this operation is a success as well. And many residents of Oleshka decided to stay and received humanitarian help. Some decided to relocate, and very important that humanitarian deliveries will continue. Today we also honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We remember Russian military deminer, Sergeant Andrei Vedernikov, who died in this operation by ensuring its success, and our thoughts are with his wife, his two children, and his families. Madam First Lady, your humanitarian work, supported by President Putin and the Commission on Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova, succeeded in reunifying 34 children with their families in Ukraine and Russia. And we know that your work will continue to ensure that families come together and their children are protected. President Putin also appreciates President Trump's peacemaking effort and his team We are working on a peace plan to resolve the Ukrainian conflict. President Trump has asked President Putin to support a number of initiatives on exchanging of prisoners, on releasing U.S. prisoners, on humanitarian efforts, and President Putin supported those ideas and those initiatives. And it's very important that cooperation between Russia and Ukraine and Russia and the United States matters not only for our two nations, but for the entire world. Let us continue making great humanitarian contributions we can together. Let us build a future of peace, partnership and prosperity for the benefit of our families, our children and future generations. Dear Melania, you saved and touched so many lives. As a token of appreciation, we'd like to give you a small gift, which is a painting by 11-year-old girl Lydia from Oleshki, who chose to be living with her family in Russia, in Tuapse. And this beautiful drawing says just three words, I love Melania. And this message from children frankly overshadows any diplomatic statement anybody can make. So thank you so much, First Lady. Thank you for your incredible humanitarian work. Thank you. Carol, thank you for your cooperation and professionalism. My deepest appreciation to Miss Anna Lantratova, Commissioner for Human Rights in the Russian Federation. Your dedication brings hope and dignity to those devastated by war. Thank you. Freedom exists only when the mind is without fear. It is both an ethical and intellectual condition. A free world is one where people can live with dignity, truth, and knowledge without fear. To soar freely beneath the sun, we must have promise of life without oppression. For a brief period, Oleshky residents enjoyed relief from the psychological horrors of war. For innocent people living in the shadow of war, freedom is more personal than we can fully understand. It is found in the simplest moments of life. Last week in Oleshky and neighboring areas of Kirshen, People experience the simple joys of life for the first time since 2022. They walk down familiar streets without fear of explosions. Four brave American journalists entered the war-torn region to document the wishes of Oleshky's residents. Working in the true spirit of journalism, Newsmax provided transparency, accountability, and protections to safeguard the truth. Thanks to those journalists who are with us here today. Thank you. The leaders of Russia and Ukraine worked to establish calm. Food, clean water, and medicine entered the era. And nearly 80 people, 800 people, left their homes in search of safety. I have a speech, but I think while hearing everyone, I will speak from my heart. First, Madam First Lady, I would like to thank you. You did an amazing job. I think when everything started with you and your team, We had about 5% people who believed in success and 95% of skeptics who say it's not going to work. Now after it happened, it switched completely vice versa. So now 95% of the people believe that we could do things like that. And 5% are still skeptical, but the work is going on. And I would like to personally thank Mark Beckman, because without Mark, I think nothing would be happening. It's 24 hours work. It's one thing, it's to agree things on political level. And then another thing is to execute things on an execution level. And it requires a lot of people. You know, a human rights commissioner on both sides, it has a lot of challenges. You know, people have to learn how to keep these agreements in place. And I think that besides a really, really big, I think the biggest de-escalation since 2022 that we achieved. Five days, people, first day, people in Kherson, not only in Oleshki, but people in Kherson who were staying at homes, first day they did not believe it's happening, so they were sitting, continued to sit at homes. Next day, because the clock is ticking backwards, you know, they started to go and start walking around their homes. And next day, they started to actually come to see their broken homes and, you know, like finding their belongings and so on. So this is really, really... The emotional part, you know, like to even to watch and supervise, to understand what we are doing. I think that what we are doing, we are creating a momentum where both sides are learning this little mechanics, how to actually keep the peace when the peace comes. It is also a very important initiative that I would like to sincerely thank you for, you know, from my heart for doing this. Guys, journalists, you know, like, you are heroes, you know, like, I couldn't go because I'm a politician, you know, like, we couldn't really do it this time, but next time I'm definitely in, you know, like, on both sides, I would like to ask your assistance, you know, like, to have me as well, you know, like, to come to the next place. And I would like to say thank you to all American people who Also participated and who donating now to all these families, you know, we're talking about hundreds of families Not only people but a lot of pets were evacuated right like people were getting the pets You know, like they have new homes now. I mean, you know, like this is really really big big big moment and definitely we would like to ask you to keep going and to find new missions and to de-escalate more as much as possible because I'm also a member of political track and the political track is more complex, it's more difficult and sometimes, you know, like your mission is above the politics, that's how we call it internally. So we have political track which sometimes has challenges and then we have above the politics track which should never stop. And, again, our President, President Zelenskyy, sends you the warmest regards. And I would like to ask our Commissioner to – he awarded you and Mark with the most prestigious awards for what you did already and what you will do in the future. And thank you for that again. Thank you. Thanks. Thank you very much. PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY Dear First Lady, on behalf of the President President of Ukraine and Ukrainian nation, I would like to give to you this state award for your leadership, for your brave heart, for saving our people and for returning back Ukrainian children. You did so a lot for us and I have only one request from all Ukrainian nation. Please continue to do your wonderful work and support people. Thank you. Thank you, President Zelensky. And the nation of Ukraine, for this highest honor, the order of Princess Olga, first class. Thank you. And my tremendous gratitude to Mr. Dmytro Lyubinets, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner of Human Rights, for the incredible bravery and heart you show in serving your people every day. Thank you. Imagine a young child confined to her home, unable to dream of her future, because she lives in constant fear. We were not born to spend our lives hiding in terror, watching the sky for drones and missiles, or scanning the grounds for mines. What benefit is there when the lives of innocents are lost forever? We are alive to laugh, create, explore and love. Let Oleshky be the modest spark that grows into a lasting flame of peace. The ceasefire in Oleshky would not be possible without President Putin and President Zelensky. Their cooperation establishes a meaningful precedent for advancing peace throughout the region. As this historic moment concludes, I wrote personal letters to President Putin and to President Zelensky. David and Carol, please deliver these letters to your presidents on my behalf. I trust you will ensure this safe delivery. Thank you. Thank you, everybody. Thank you. Beautiful. Beautiful. Thank you.