Oleshky Truce Holds as European Leaders Hold ‘Frank’ Call with Putin

A local ceasefire in the Russian-occupied city of Oleshky in southern Ukraine appeared to hold on Tuesday, with both Ukrainian and Russian forces halting drone attacks for the first time in years. The truce, which began at 3am, is intended to allow the evacuation of approximately 2,000 trapped civilians. Oleshky sits on the Dnipro River, just 3 miles from Kherson, which Ukrainian troops recaptured in autumn 2022. The frontline has been largely static since then, making this pause significant for humanitarian efforts. Separately, two European leaders held what was described as a ‘frank’ phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, though details of the discussion were not disclosed. The evacuation, if successful, could mark a rare moment of de-escalation in a region that has seen relentless fighting. Observers are watching closely to see whether the truce will extend beyond the immediate evacuation window.