Putin Used Melania Trump for His Own Interests: What Russia Gained from the Ceasefire in Oleshky

The local ceasefire in Oleshky was a humanitarian opportunity to save lives, but at the same time it gave Russia a chance to present itself as a peacemaker. Moscow used Melania Trump’s involvement to create the image needed for an American audience and to strengthen the positive image of Russian-American relations.

Diplomat Vadym Prystaiko, in an exclusive interview for 24 Channel, explained why the Kremlin agreed to the local truce, how it tried to use it for its own PR, and why a humanitarian initiative could become a tool of influence over Donald Trump.

Why Russia agreed to a ceasefire in Oleshky

The local ceasefire in Oleshky operated from 27 October to 1 November. This agreement was important primarily because it allowed lives to be saved.

At the same time, the diplomat urges not to view it as a sign of Russia’s willingness to a broader ceasefire. He noted that earlier during the Minsk process there were about twenty similar peace initiatives proclaimed, but they did not become the start of a long-term cessation of hostilities.

Prystaiko suggests that Moscow could have taken such a step, in particular, to support a favorable backdrop in its relations with Washington. For Russia, a short pause in the fighting, in his assessment, was not a significant concession.

Putin is quite purposeful, effective, and disciplined in taking step after step to support Trump in the warm bath of Russian-American relations.

— noted the diplomat.

He pointed out that Moscow repeatedly signaled readiness for economic cooperation with the United States, and also reminded about humanitarian initiatives related to Melania Trump. Now, in Prystaiko’s view, Russia has gained the opportunity to show the American side another such gesture.

"Russians can afford to pause the fire for a couple of days to demonstrate that they are humanitarian, including to their own people," he explained.

Full interview with the diplomat: watch the video

How the Kremlin Used Melania Trump’s Involvement

Prystaiko believes that involving the First Lady of the United States in the humanitarian initiative was advantageous for Russia. Thanks to this, Moscow could present itself as a party that allegedly helps save people, while Donald Trump and his wife gained the opportunity to talk about humanitarian results.

The diplomat noted that the Russian side did not offer a similar role to Ukraine’s First Lady. Instead, it focused specifically on Melania Trump.

If Russians had a First Lady, they would surely want to demonstrate it themselves. But since they don’t, and in the absence of other options, they chose what was best for them, offering the American side the appearance of humanitarian actors.

— said Prystaiko.

But the diplomat emphasizes: the humanitarian result cannot be devalued because of political PR. Even if Russia gained media advantages, the most important thing remains the saving of lives.

Russia turned evacuation into a tool of propaganda

Another consequence of the ceasefire was an information campaign around the evacuation. Russian propaganda media portrayed the movement of people as if all of them had left for Russia, and Ukraine allegedly shelled those being evacuated.

Moscow was able to use this situation for its own interests. In particular, the Russian side demonstrated the movement of Ukrainians not toward Ukrainian-controlled territory, but toward Russia.

You saw how deftly they played it from a PR perspective, presenting the relocation of Ukrainians who went not toward Ukraine but toward Russia.

— emphasized the diplomat.

He notes that in such circumstances Ukraine faced a difficult choice: save people, even if Russia uses it for propaganda, or refuse the humanitarian opportunity due to the risk of information losses.

"In this particular case, we have no choice. We must save lives. PR questions are important, but not primary," Prystaiko summed up.