Oleshky Ceasefire: Intelligence, Not Melania Trump, Negotiated Humanitarian Operation, Le Monde Reports
Discover how Russian and Ukrainian intelligence, not Melania Trump, brokered the Oleshky ceasefire that enabled aid and evacuation of civilians in Kherson, U...
POLICY WIRE — Oleshky, Ukraine — A humanitarian ceasefire in the Kherson region, widely credited to First Lady Melania Trump, was actually negotiated by Russian and Ukrainian intelligence agencies, according to Le Monde.
Negotiations between Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence and the Russian Main Intelligence Directorate spanned four months before a localized truce was reached. Intelligence officials reportedly favored involving Trump to lend the deal visibility and appeal.
The ceasefire, announced on 26 October, allowed aid deliveries and the evacuation of hundreds of residents from the besieged town. Le Monde’s investigation shows the truce was orchestrated behind the scenes by the two intelligence services rather than the former first lady.
The operation underscores how political figures can be credited for actions driven by intelligence agencies, shaping public perception amid ongoing conflict. The Oleshky ceasefire offers a rare glimpse into the coordination between Russian and Ukrainian forces at a time of heightened tensions.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
