World · Europe · 53 mins ago
Zelensky awards Melania Trump Ukraine honour after Oleshky ceasefire
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky awarded Melania Trump the Order of Princess Olga, the country’s highest honour for women.
The decree cited her humanitarian support for Ukraine, human rights work and charitable efforts.
The award follows a six-day ceasefire in Russian-occupied Oleshky, in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region.
During the pause, aid reached the city and nearly 800 people were evacuated, according to Ukrainian and Dutch reporting.
Russia and Ukraine both thanked Trump for helping broker the truce, but neither side explained the extent of her role.
Her humanitarian work has also included efforts to help Ukrainian children affected by the war return to their families.
Russian and Ukrainian delegations are due to meet at the White House on Thursday at Trump’s invitation, though details of the meeting have not been shared.
Volodymyr Zelensky awarded Melania Trump the Order of Princess Olga, First Class, for her humanitarian work supporting Ukraine.
The award follows a ceasefire in Russian-occupied Oleshky that enabled civilians to be evacuated.
The presidential decree cited her contribution to humanitarian support, human rights and charitable work.
Sources say the ceasefire helped nearly 800 people leave Oleshky, though the BBC describes the evacuees as several hundred.
Russian and Ukrainian officials have both thanked Trump for her role, but neither side has detailed the nature or extent of her involvement.
- Who
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky awarded the honour to US first lady Melania Trump.
- What
- She received the Order of Princess Olga, First Class. The award cited her humanitarian work and contribution to support for Ukraine.
- When
- Nov. 4, 2026.
- Where
- Ukraine; the decree was published on the Ukrainian presidential website.
- Why
- The decree cited her humanitarian support, human rights advocacy and charitable work. Sources also link the award to her role in brokering the Oleshky ceasefire.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Melania Trump sent Russian President Vladimir Putin a personal letter, after which discussions began on returning Ukrainian children.
Russian and Ukrainian ombudsmen travelled together into Oleshky during the evacuation operation.
Zelensky awarded Melania Trump the Order of Princess Olga, First Class.
Russian and Ukrainian delegations were due to meet at the White House, where Melania Trump was also scheduled to speak about the Oleshky ceasefire.
- Award
- Order of Princess Olga, First Class
- Recipient
- Melania Trump, US first lady
- Awarding president
- Volodymyr Zelensky
- Evacuation
- Nearly 800 people, according to Ukraine's account cited by Kyiv Independent and NOS
- Ceasefire duration
- Six days, according to NOS
- Location
- Russian-occupied city of Oleshky, Kherson region
6 sources
Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy awards Melania Trump national honour for role in brokering Oleshky truce
Zelensky honours Melania Trump with Ukraine award for brokering Oleshky truce
Ukraine's Zelenskyy awards U.S. first lady Melania state honour
Oekraïense onderscheiding voor Melania Trump voor bemiddeling bij bestand in Olesjky
Zelensky gives Melania Trump Ukraine's highest award after Oleshky ceasefire
Zelensky awards Melania Trump Ukraine's Order of Princess Olga for humanitarian work
What people are saying
independently initiated engagement between the two warring nations and successfully secured a ceasefire
significant personal contribution to humanitarian support for Ukraine, and for active human rights and charitable work
There are important meetings ahead