Ukrainian citizens evacuated from Oleshky have crossed the Ukrainian border in the Chernihiv region. This is about saved lives.

After months of hunger and isolation under Russian occupation, they are finally safe. Those who chose to stay must have unhindered humanitarian access.

We thank the American side and @FLOTUS Melania Trump for their mediation.

For months, Ukraine raised the alarm about Oleshky, including at the UN Security Council. We urged partners, international organizations and religious leaders to act. Today, lives have been saved.

I am grateful to our partners, fellow ministers and officials who helped respond to the humanitarian catastrophe in Oleshky. I thank Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets and his team for coordinating the operation on the ground.

Ukraine acted in good faith and kept its word. As I said in Helsinki, results in Oleshky can serve as a confidence-building measure and pave the way for further steps in the peace process.

If hostilities can be stopped in one place, they can be stopped everywhere, and permanently. Ukraine is ready. We expect the same from Russia.