Zelenskyy Awards Melania Trump Order of Princess Olga — SkimNews
Get the Geopolitics newsletter
Daily geopolitics — wars, elections, sanctions, the diplomatic moves that move markets. Free.
- Zelenskyy issued a presidential decree on Wednesday, Nov 4 awarding Melania Trump the Order of Princess Olga, First Class, published on the Ukrainian presidential website.
- Melania Trump announced the localised truce last month between Ukrainian and Russian forces, clearing the way for residents of Oleshky on the southern front to leave after weeks of shortages of food and medicine.
- Oleshky saw a rare halt in fighting that was respected by both sides, allowing roads to be demined and residents to depart for either Ukraine or Russia; the truce dates to October 27.
- Ukraine — the decree credits Melania Trump with a "significant personal contribution to humanitarian support for Ukraine, and for active human rights and charitable work."
- Melania Trump has also been involved in efforts to return Ukrainian children taken to Russia.
- Washington — Melania Trump has announced she will host representatives from both sides there, having brokered the Oleshky truce last month.
Why it matters: Melania Trump's Nov 4 decoration puts Ukrainian state recognition behind a mechanism that moved people: in Oleshky, a pause respected by both sides let roads be demined and residents leave for either Ukraine or Russia after weeks without food or medicine. It also formally marks the first lady who says she will host both sides in Washington.
Ask SkimNews
