US First Lady Melania Trump will host delegations of Russian and Ukrainian officials, including human rights chiefs from both countries, at the White House on Thursday. This diplomatic initiative comes ahead of scheduled talks in Abu Dhabi aimed at ending the war in Ukraine.
On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded the First Lady a national honour, identified as Ukraine's highest award for women. The distinction was granted in recognition of her humanitarian work and her efforts in helping children.
The honour follows the First Lady's role in negotiating an unprecedented partial humanitarian ceasefire. This operation enabled the safe evacuation of civilians from the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky.