Russia Hits Zelenskyy's Hometown as Ukraine Signals It's Ready for Peace

Russia has launched another attack on Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, the hometown of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, leaving one woman dead and several others injured. Dnipropetrovsk regional governor Serhiy Lysak confirmed the casualties, according to Reuters. The timing and location of the strike—targeting Zelenskyy's roots—seem like a calculated move to send a message.

This isn’t the first time Kryvyi Rih has been in Russia’s crosshairs. Just last week, on March 6, a missile attack claimed four lives and left 32 injured. It seems the city has become an unfortunate symbol of defiance amid this brutal war.

Meanwhile, Ukraine appears to be pivoting toward peace. Ukrainian officials have been engaging in talks with the U.S., with Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirming that Ukraine has "accepted" a U.S.-proposed ceasefire plan. Rubio emphasized that ending the war remains a top priority for all involved. "The President’s objective here is, number one, above everything else, he wants the war to end," Rubio told reporters during a briefing in Saudi Arabia.

President Donald Trump also weighed in on the fragile ceasefire discussions. Speaking at a Business Roundtable meeting, Trump commented, "I’ve been saying that Russia’s been easier to deal with so far than Ukraine, which is not supposed to be the way it is. But it is, and we hope to get Russia. But we have a full ceasefire from Ukraine. That’s good." Classic Trump—blunt as ever.

However, the Kremlin remains cautious, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noting that Russia is holding back on commenting until they receive more "detailed information" about the U.S.-Ukraine proposal. According to Rubio, the plan will be delivered to Russia directly.

Diplomatic tensions reached a boiling point during a recent Oval Office meeting between Zelenskyy, Trump, and Vice President JD Vance. Initially, Trump accused Zelenskyy of being "not ready for peace," but any friction seems to have been smoothed over. Trump later read a letter from Zelenskyy during a joint session of Congress, in which the Ukrainian leader expressed his readiness to negotiate for lasting peace. "Nobody wants peace more than the Ukrainians," the letter read. Strong words, but let’s see if they translate to action.

As the dust settles from the latest attack on Kryvyi Rih, one can only hope that the diplomatic efforts gain traction. Peace may finally be inching closer, but it’s clear that the road ahead remains fraught with challenges—and perhaps a few more twists than anyone would like.