WASHINGTON — First lady Melania Trump will host Russia-Ukraine peace talks at the White House on Thursday in hopes of building upon a limited cease-fire she brokered for a besieged Ukrainian city.
The first lady has played an unconventional role in the nearly five-year war, including stunningly announcing the Oct. 23 cease-fire in Oleshky, allowing nearly 800 people to escape after years under bombardment in the Ukraine-held enclave along the Dnieper River.
“First Lady Melania Trump will personally bring representatives of Russia and Ukraine, two nations actively at war, together at the White House. This event represents an extraordinary moment in American history,” her office said in an announcement.
“Mrs. Trump independently initiated engagement between the two warring nations and successfully secured a ceasefire in Oleshky and the surrounding Kherson region. This achievement marks an unprecedented diplomatic initiative by an American First Lady. “
The announcement did not say who would represent Russia and Ukraine.
The 56-year-old first lady has taken on a growing role in peace efforts, which have been led by special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who are also spearheading revived talks to end the US war with Iran.
Last August, she entered the fray by penning a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin asking him to help reunite thousands of children taken to Russia with their families in Ukraine. The plea worked, she announced last October at a surprise press announcement.
“President Putin and I have had an open channel of communication,” the Slovenia-born former fashion model said at the time, announcing an initial reunification of eight children.
The initial transfer was followed by more, bringing the running total to 34.
Russia-Ukraine talks have centered on Putin’s demand for his neighbor to surrender the fortified north of Donetsk oblast, which the Russian government moved to annex. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has refused, expressing concern Russia would further invade his country.
