Kyiv, Nov 5:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has awarded US First Lady Melania Trump the Order of Princess Olga, First Class, in recognition of her humanitarian efforts in support of Ukraine, including her role in facilitating the evacuation of civilians from Russian-occupied territory.
The award was announced in a presidential decree dated November 2 and published on the Ukrainian President’s official website on Wednesday. It recognised Trump’s contribution to humanitarian assistance, human rights advocacy and charitable initiatives aimed at rescuing Ukrainian children and civilians affected by Russia’s invasion.
The decree specifically cited efforts to help children and other citizens who had been illegally deported or forcibly displaced from territories occupied by Russian forces.
The honour follows a six-day localised ceasefire in Oleshky, a town in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region, which allowed humanitarian supplies to reach residents and civilians to leave the area. The temporary truce began on October 27 and ended on November 2.
Ukrainian officials credited Melania Trump with playing a significant role in arranging the humanitarian pause through contacts involving Moscow and Kyiv. Trump said nearly 800 people were evacuated during the operation. It was described as the longest localised pause in fighting since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Oleshky has remained under Russian control since 2022. Residents in the area have faced shortages of essential supplies, including food and medicine, amid continuing hostilities.
The Order of Princess Olga is a Ukrainian state decoration awarded to women for significant contributions in fields including science, education, culture, public service and charitable activities. The first-class distinction is the highest of its three grades.
Zelenskyy’s decision comes as Ukraine continues to seek international support for humanitarian operations and efforts to secure the return of children transferred from occupied territories. Kyiv has repeatedly accused Moscow of forcibly deporting Ukrainian children, an allegation Russia has disputed.
Melania Trump’s involvement in humanitarian initiatives related to Ukrainian children predates the latest ceasefire. In August 2025, she wrote to Russian President Vladimir Putin about children separated from their families during the war. The White House subsequently said several children had been reunited with relatives.
The latest award highlights an unusual humanitarian diplomatic role for a US First Lady, whose activities have intersected with efforts involving both sides of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.