Ukrainian families reunited as Pope welcomes Oleshky humanitarian ceasefire

By Stefan J. Bos

After a long and dangerous journey, Mykhailo Palii was finally reunited with his family in Ukraine after escaping the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky.

His daughters and partner burst into tears as they rushed to embrace the grey-haired man stepping off a bus, ending a painful separation.

He was among hundreds of civilians evacuated under a six-day ceasefire between Ukrainian and Russian forces, offering a rare humanitarian lifeline in a region devastated by years of war.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked U.S. First Lady Melania Trump for helping broker the humanitarian truce.

Pope's appeals for peace 

The breakthrough also followed personal conversations by Pope Leo XIV with Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and his repeated appeals for an end to Europe's longest and deadliest conflict since World War Two. 

Read also 01/11/2026 Pope appeals for dialogue and concrete initiatives for peace in Ukraine Pope Leo XVI upholds a humanitarian ceasefire in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky and appeals for cooperation and dialogue for peace.

Melania Trump thanked the Pope for his support, telling reporters: “It's great to have the Pope's support, and they are starting a ceasefire.”

Asked whether she had spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin or Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, she replied: “We talked. We signed agreements.”

Her husband, U.S. President Donald Trump, praised her diplomatic efforts, telling reporters that she had spoken with both sides. “She does better than our professionals,” he remarked.

Mine-clearing operation claims lives

The humanitarian breakthrough came at a cost. Russian officials reported that two people, including a military demining specialist, were killed while clearing roads for the operation.

Mine-clearing teams had been working to make routes safe for humanitarian convoys and civilians seeking to leave Oleshky, where years of fighting have left roads and surrounding areas dangerous.

Yet the local ceasefire offered a rare moment of cooperation between Moscow and Kyiv, even as Russian attacks continued elsewhere in Ukraine.

The agreement also raised hopes that humanitarian cooperation could create opportunities for broader diplomatic engagement between the warring sides.

Uncertainty remains for residents

Speaking on Sunday, Pope Leo welcomed the humanitarian operation and expressed hope that the cooperation could lead to wider peace efforts.

Zelenskyy also viewed the agreement as a possible step toward de-escalation, with further diplomatic talks expected in November.

However, the ceasefire was due to expire by Monday, leaving uncertainty for civilians still living in Oleshky. 

Some residents had chosen to remain in the town despite the difficult humanitarian conditions.

For Mykhailo Palii and his family, however, the agreement had already brought something they feared they might never experience again: being together.

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