Melania Trump to meet Russian and Ukrainian officials at White House to stop Ukraine war

United States First Lady Melania Trump will welcome high-ranking officials from Russia and Ukraine, including heads of human rights sectors, at the White House on Thursday. According to a report by France 24, this meeting is being held prior to upcoming talks in Abu Dhabi, the primary objective of which is to bring an end to the Ukraine war. As Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine enters its fifth year, these discussions have raised new hopes for peace. However, concerns have also emerged that the US might neglect Kyiv (Ukraine) due to the growing proximity between President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

Kirill Dmitriev, advisor for international economic cooperation, and human rights ombudswoman Yana Lentratova will meet Melania Trump on Thursday from the Russian side. Russia's state news agency TASS, quoting Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, stated that the meeting will take place only if all logistical arrangements are properly completed. On the other hand, Ukraine's human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets has also announced a meeting with Melania Trump in Washington. Lubinets wrote on Facebook on Wednesday, "I am going to Washington. Important meetings lie ahead. But while I am on my way, I want to ask you: if you could send a message to the First Lady of America, Melania Trump, what would you tell her?"

An earlier statement from Melania Trump's office clarified that the First Lady would personally bring together representatives from two active war-torn nations, Russia and Ukraine, at the White House. This meeting comes at a time when Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he had a very detailed conversation lasting one and a half hours with American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner before the meeting to be held in Abu Dhabi next week. This is the first time since February that talks are taking place between all three parties.

Early Wednesday morning, President Zelenskyy conferred a national honour upon Melania Trump for her role in facilitating a partial ceasefire to safely evacuate civilians from a city under Russian occupation. According to the decree published on the Ukrainian President's website, Melania Trump has been awarded the 'Order of Princess Olga, First Class'. This honour has been given for her significant personal contribution to humanitarian aid, human rights, and philanthropic work for Ukraine.

Melania Trump's office stated in a statement that the First Lady independently took the initiative to ensure a ceasefire in Oleshky and the surrounding Kherson region. Last month, she announced a local ceasefire between Ukrainian and Russian forces so that residents of Oleshky city on the southern front, who had been facing shortages of food and medicine for weeks, could leave. This rare ceasefire was observed by both sides, allowing mines to be removed from the roads and residents to depart towards Ukraine or Russia. Melania Trump's office has described this as an unprecedented diplomatic initiative by an American First Lady. Additionally, the First Lady has been involved in efforts to return Ukrainian children taken by Russia. She is expected to address the White House on Thursday at 11 am (1600 GMT).

Melania Trump is the wife of US President Donald Trump.