The Kremlin said Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed an Oleshky humanitarian operation as government statements set different dates for the local ceasefire.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow welcomed U.S. first lady Melania Trump’s role in coordinating the effort. He said Putin and Trump discussed the operation in a recent phone call.
Peskov said military officials were working to arrange a localized pause. Residents wishing to leave would be able to do so, he said, and he expected the operation to take at least several days, though he could not predict its duration.
A White House announcement on Oct. 23 schedules the Oleshky ceasefire for Thursday, Oct. 29. Two military notices name Tuesday, Oct. 27: Russia said troops would stop firing on the Kherson direction at 9 p.m. ET Monday, Oct. 26 (4 a.m. Moscow time Tuesday, Oct. 27), while Ukraine’s General Staff set a ceasefire in a designated area for 9 p.m. ET Monday (3 a.m. Kyiv time Tuesday, Oct. 27). The notices do not explain how the military timetable relates to the White House date.
The White House says the planned pause is intended to let humanitarian aid enter Oleshky and create a route for civilian departures. Representatives from both countries are expected to visit residents’ homes to assess their needs. People who opt to leave may select a destination in Russia or Ukraine, with transport arranged to their choice. The announcement also says an American media organization would accompany the teams, without naming it.
The White House puts Oleshky’s remaining population at 1,700 to 2,000, mainly older people, with about 50 children. It says the city has not had a formal demographic count since 2022. The White House lists Thursday, Oct. 29, as the operation’s start date.
