First Lady Melania Trump has announced that Russia agreed to work with her as an intermediary in ceasefire talks with Ukraine to end their 3-year-old war. She made the announcement in an East Room appearance before the press on Thursday morning where she hosted Russian and Ukrainian officials. This is an unusual role for a First Lady, but the White House is presenting her work to end the war as a humanitarian effort. Mrs. Trump's engagement in diplomacy appears to have crossed into the realm of being a negotiator on behalf of the U.S. government,
Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets and his Russian counterpart Yana Lantratova, who oversaw the evacuation of the Oleshky region weeks earlier were present. The FLOTUS mediated enabling aid convoys carrying food and medicine to reach Oleshky and allowing residents to leave by bus. After the operation, Melania Trump stated that the mission delivered critical aid and enabled the evacuation of nearly 800 people. She also publicly praised both Russia and Ukraine for cooperating on the humanitarian effort.
Attendees included Russian special envoy Kirill Dmitriev and
David Arakhamia, a Ukrainian lawmaker and negotiator, also here. Trump adviser Marc Beekman in first row. Also seated were Maria Medvedeva, Vice President, Director, External Communications, Russian Direct Investment; and Ukrainian Parliament's Yuriy Kovbasa and Stanislav Kulish.
Pres. Donald Trump was not in attendance.