I am deeply outraged by Melania Trump’s statement regarding the evacuation of civilians from Russian-occupied Oleshky. “Some will want to go to Russia, and some to Ukraine.” Excuse me, but OLESHKY IS UKRAINE! It is a city in the Kherson region, occupied by the Russian Federation. Why are we once again talking about Russia and Ukraine as though they are two equally legitimate parties simply offering civilians different destinations? Russia is the country that occupied this city. For years, people have been living under occupation, isolation and catastrophic humanitarian conditions. According to journalistic reports, civilians attempting to escape Oleshky and reach Ukrainian-controlled territory have been killed by drone strikes. So what freedom of choice are we talking about? I support any genuinely safe humanitarian operation that can save civilian lives. But evacuation must not become a tool for legitimising occupation or removing responsibility from the aggressor. We need independent international observers, genuine security guarantees, protection against coercion, and safe routes allowing civilians to reach Ukrainian-controlled territory. And most importantly, no humanitarian agreement changes Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders. RUSSIA OCCUPIED OLESHKY. RUSSIA BEARS RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF CIVILIANS UNDER ITS OCCUPATION. Helping people is essential. But humanitarian assistance must never become a political justification for occupation. And we must stop presenting the aggressor and the victim of aggression as though they bear equal responsibility. Oleshky is Ukraine. Kherson is Ukraine. Occupation does not change sovereignty. #Oleshky #KhersonIsUkraine #HumanRights #RussiaIsTheAggressor #StandWithUkraine