By Ahmed Abdelsalam
First Lady Melania Trump will host representatives from Russia and Ukraine at the White House on Thursday, marking the first face-to-face meeting between the warring sides at the presidential residence since Russia's full-scale invasion began.
Ceasefire Precedes Diplomatic Push
The gathering follows an unprecedented humanitarian ceasefire brokered with Melania Trump's involvement that began Oct. 27 and lasted six days, allowing the evacuation of hundreds of residents from the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in Ukraine's Kherson region. Both sides held fire throughout the truce, the largest de-escalation since early 2022.
White House Calls Event Historic
"This event represents an extraordinary moment in American history," the White House said in a statement announcing Thursday's meeting. It remains unclear whether President Donald Trump or his envoys will attend, and the specific goals of the session have not been detailed.
High-Level Delegations Named
The Kremlin said Putin's Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriev and Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova, who coordinated the ceasefire on the Russian side, will represent Moscow. Ukraine has not officially confirmed its full delegation, but the office of David Arakhamia, head of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's ruling parliamentary faction, told NBC News he will be part of the Ukrainian team, signaling high-level participation.
Melania Trump Honored by Ukraine
On Wednesday, Ukraine bestowed the Order of Princess Olga, 1st class, on Melania Trump for "significant personal contribution to humanitarian support for Ukraine." The award recognizes women who have made outstanding contributions to the country.
Tensions Persist Amid Broader Talks
The meeting comes as the Trump administration pushes for progress in broader peace negotiations, with the U.S. set to lead renewed trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi next week. Recent friction included a U.S. deal to buy Russian diesel, a waiver of new sanctions on Moscow, and Ukrainian complaints about gaps in intelligence sharing and a slowdown in Starlink service — both since restored.
Zelenskyy Seeks Leaders-Level Format
"This will be a team-level format, and we count on the work in this format and our other diplomatic steps opening the way to a trilateral format at the leaders' level," Zelenskyy said Tuesday, arguing that only a leaders' summit can resolve key issues for lasting peace and security guarantees.
Midterm Elections Shift Political Landscape
Democrats captured full control of Congress in last week's midterm elections, a striking repudiation of Trump's agenda including his handling of the war. The Kremlin said it "sincerely hoped" Trump would continue his "peace-building efforts," while some in Ukraine expressed cautious optimism that the Democratic surge would ease pressure from Washington.
Donbas Remains Core Sticking Point
Negotiations led by Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner have stalled over the eastern Donbas industrial region, which Putin wants to seize entirely. Ukraine still controls key stronghold cities there and refuses to cede the territory, warning it could serve as a launchpad for future invasion attempts.
