Russia and Ukraine began observing a localized ceasefire in the Russian-occupied southern Ukrainian city of Oleshky on Tuesday to allow humanitarian aid delivery, while Russian missile attacks continued elsewhere.

The truce, which began at 3am, was brokered by US First Lady Melania Trump, according to the White House. Food and medical supplies are running critically low in the city, where drones and land mines restrict movement for up to 2,000 remaining residents.

Russian and Ukrainian negotiators and their militaries confirmed the ceasefire. Previous attempts at limited truces have often failed amid deep mistrust between the two sides.

Meanwhile, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre held a 90-minute phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the war and planned trilateral talks involving Russia, Ukraine and the United States, expected next month in Abu Dhabi.

Stubb described the discussion as “frank and substantive”. The Nordic leaders later spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to his office.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed scepticism about contacting Putin, saying she saw no signs that Russia wanted peace with Europe and stressing the need for European unity.

The Kremlin said lasting peace was possible only if Russia’s interests were fully and unconditionally taken into account. Zelenskyy urged Russia to stop attacks, including strikes on Ukraine’s power grid, to create a path to peace.

Melania Trump’s office said she led discussions with civilian negotiators from both countries after receiving a briefing from UN officials on Oleshky. Pope Leo XIV also spoke with Putin and Zelenskyy this month, urging them to allow humanitarian aid and safe civilian evacuations.

Negotiators said doctors, medicines, food and water would be delivered before evacuation corridors were opened. Moscow and Kyiv have blamed each other for the crisis.

Under international law, Russia, as the occupying power, must ensure the safety of civilians under its control. Ukraine has repeatedly sought a humanitarian corridor for aid deliveries and evacuations.