European Parliament vice-president Pina Picierno ends Oleshky hunger strike

Pina Picierno, a vice-president of the European Parliament, has ended the hunger strike she began on 20 October to demand a humanitarian truce in Oleshky, after a local ceasefire was agreed for the Russian-occupied town.

Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, who announced the agreement, told her of it directly. “It is time to act together, so that diplomacy delivers concrete results and no one is left to die in silence,” Picierno said.

Oleshky lies across the Dnipro river from Kherson. About 2,000 civilians are still there, with Russian troops reported to be blocking aid and people who try to flee along mined roads often targeted by drones. Pope Leo XIV had called for a ceasefire in the town after a phone call with Vladimir Putin on 16 October.

The truce, facilitated by US first lady Melania Trump after talks with both sides, is due to start on 27 October to allow “humanitarian aid deliveries and the evacuation of the civilian population”. The road into the town is to be cleared of mines, and food, water, medicine and medical equipment brought in. Civilians who want to leave will be given transport, and Melania Trump said she expected some to go to Russia and some to Ukraine.

“Non-military, civilian leaders from both countries will work together to visit Oleshky residents in their homes,” her office said. A humanitarian operation is planned for 29 October.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the operation “extremely difficult” and said Ukraine would fulfil its part.