Zelenskyy awards US first lady Ukrainian civilian honour

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has awarded US First Lady Melania Trump Ukraine’s Order of Princess Olga, First Class, recognising her role in arranging a local ceasefire. The pause in fighting enabled civilians to leave the Russian-controlled town of Oleshky, making the award a recognition of her humanitarian involvement in the conflict.

The truce was announced last month after residents endured weeks of shortages of food and medicine. Both sides observed the halt, allowing roads to be cleared of mines and people to travel to Ukraine or Russia. Trump has also worked on efforts to return Ukrainian children taken to Russia and plans to host representatives from both sides in Washington.