Ukraine’s president, Volodimir Zelenski, has awarded an honor to the first lady of the United States, Melania Trump, in recognition of her involvement in the ceasefire agreed with Russia last week in the town of Oleshki, in the province of Kherson, in the south of the country.
At an official ceremony, Zelenski presented Trump with the Order of Princess Olga for her “great contribution to support for humanitarian aid for Ukraine”. At the same time, his principal adviser, Mark Beckman, was also honored, receiving the Golden Heart Award, as detailed in a decree circulated on the website of the Presidency.
The document states: “For her significant personal contribution and the activities in defense of Human Rights with the aim of rescuing Ukrainian children and citizens affected by Russian aggression, illegal deportations, and forced displacement in the occupied Ukrainian territories, I have decreed to honor Melania Trump”.
In the last few weeks, Melania Trump has served as a key figure for mediation to push forward a truce in Oleshki, working closely with Beckman, who is tasked with coordinating the various operations on the ground. In addition, she is scheduled to meet this Thursday at the White House with delegations from Ukraine and Russia to continue analyzing the implementation of the measure.
Oleshki, under Russian occupation, has become one of the epicenters of destruction and the famine caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the armed conflict. In this city, tens of thousands of people are trying to survive practically without food, without an electricity supply, and with minimal access to medicines.