Melania Trump pushes for peace at meeting with Putin envoy and Ukraine officials at White House

First lady Melania Trump hosted a rare joint session at the White House on Thursday with Russian and Ukrainian representatives, urging them to put humanity ahead of war as the countries prepare for trilateral talks with the U. S. in Abu Dhabi on November 10-11. The gathering marked a six-day truce in the Russian-held city of Oleshky that she helped broker and that lapsed Sunday. Kirill Dmitriev, an envoy for Russian President Vladimir Putin, took part, as did Ukrainian lawmaker David Arakhamia and ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, who urged her to keep going. She said she had a hand in every phase of the truce preparations, from examining aerial imagery to assessing hospital and road access. President Trump was absent but has said she outperforms the professionals, according to The Independent.

Both delegations gave her gifts, and she handed them letters for Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. It was the first in-person contact between Russian and U. S. officials since Tuesday's midterms, in which Democrats took Congress from Republicans. The incoming majority is expected to press for more Ukraine aid and examine Trump's diesel arrangement with Russia and easing of some sanctions.

Summarized by PolitiKool from The Independent’s reporting. Read the full story at The Independent →