Diplomatic Gesture: Zelensky Awards Trump Ukraine's Top Women's Honor
The Order of Princess Olha, 1st Class, recognizes the First Lady's role in evacuating Oleshky and securing the return of displaced children.
By Samantha Reed ·
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has conferred the Order of Princess Olha, 1st Class, on US First Lady Melania Trump. The decree, dated November 2 and published on Wednesday, cites her personal contribution to humanitarian support for Ukraine. It is the highest state honor Ukraine bestows on women.
The award follows Trump's mediation of a temporary ceasefire in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky. This agreement allowed humanitarian aid to reach the town and enabled the evacuation of hundreds of civilians. Four planes carrying evacuees arrived in Belarus on Saturday, according to state news agency Belta and a senior Ukrainian official.
Oleshky sits on the southern front line of the conflict. Only 1,700 to 2,000 residents remain from a prewar population of 24,000. The population is largely elderly and includes approximately 50 children. About 90% of the city flooded after the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, forcing most inhabitants to flee.
Trump has also worked to secure the return of Ukrainian children transferred to Russia during the war. Ukrainian authorities estimate that nearly 20,000 children have been moved to Russia or Belarus since February 2022. A United Nations commission of inquiry determined in March that these deportations and forced transfers amount to crimes against humanity.
The White House stated that Trump independently initiated engagement between the two nations. The administration added that this achievement marks an unprecedented diplomatic initiative by an American First Lady. Russian and Ukrainian officials have thanked Trump for arranging the ceasefire, though neither side has detailed the full scope of her involvement.
On Thursday, Trump will host Russian and Ukrainian representatives at the White House. The delegations will include Ukrainian human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets and Russian counterpart Yana Lantratova. Ukrainian lawmaker Davyd Arakhamia and Kremlin-linked envoy Kirill Dmitriev are also expected to attend. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Russia's participation.
These meetings occur as Washington prepares to host another round of peace talks in Abu Dhabi on November 10 and 11. US envoy Steve Witkoff said Monday that the discussions will cover postwar security, measures to reduce hostilities, and humanitarian issues.
