Representatives of Russia and Ukraine are meeting at the White House in Washington, DC for talks hosted by First Lady Melania Trump.

The meeting follows a temporary humanitarian ceasefire in Alyoshki, a city in the Russian region of Kherson, coordinated with the first lady’s involvement.

The White House announced the gathering on November 3, describing it as an “extraordinary moment in American history.”

Russia is represented by Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova and Special Presidential Envoy Kirill Dmitriev, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Ukraine has sent Human Rights Commissioner Dmitry Lubinets and David Arakhamia, the head of the ruling Servant of the People parliamentary faction, according to Ukrainian media reports.

Melania Trump called for cooperation between Moscow and Kiev to extend beyond the temporary ceasefire in Alyoshki, describing the humanitarian arrangement as a precedent for advancing peace in the region.

Dmitriev thanked Melania Trump “on behalf of President Putin” for her involvement in the humanitarian operation, describing her role as crucial. He also presented the First Lady with a painting by an 11-year-old girl from Alyoshki who had relocated with her family to the Russian city of Tuapse. The drawing bore the words “I love Melania.”

The presidential envoy also said that humanitarian efforts had helped reunite 34 children with their families in Russia and Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin has supported initiatives proposed by US President Donald Trump, including prisoner exchanges, the release of American detainees, and other humanitarian measures, Dmitriev said.

The White House said Melania Trump independently initiated contact between the two countries and helped secure the temporary ceasefire in Alyoshki and the surrounding area.

The six-day truce, which expired on Sunday, allowed Russian and Ukrainian humanitarian teams to deliver food, water, medicine, and other essential supplies and evacuate residents. Nearly 800 people were evacuated, according to Melania Trump.

Officials from both sides oversaw the evacuations, with civilians offered the choice of relocating to another city in Russia or traveling to Ukraine via Russia and Belarus. Evacuees and Russian officials interviewed by RT described months of hardships of living under shelling, which they attributed to Ukrainian forces.

Lantratova said on November 2 that discussions were underway on organizing regular humanitarian missions to Alyoshki with the first lady’s mediation, potentially allowing aid deliveries every month.

The meeting comes ahead of another round of US-mediated negotiations between Moscow and Kiev, scheduled for November 10-11 in Abu Dhabi.

Via https://rt-english.com/news/648478-russia-ukraine-melania-trump-meeting/