Russia has launched missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, resulting in multiple casualties, shortly after Ukraine’s acceptance of a U.S.-proposed ceasefire. The U.S. promises to enhance support for Ukraine, but skepticism remains on the Russian side regarding the proposal. The ongoing conflict continues to present significant challenges for all stakeholders involved.
On March 12, 2025, Russia launched missile attacks on multiple Ukrainian cities, resulting in the deaths of at least five individuals and wounding 11 more. This military action followed discussions in Saudi Arabia between Ukrainian officials and senior U.S. representatives concerning a potential ceasefire. Regions affected by the assault include Odessa, Kryvyi Rih, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Kyiv, and Sumy, as reported by local media.
Kryvyi Rih experienced two missile strikes on Wednesday morning, which tragically resulted in one female casualty and four injuries. Additionally, a previous attack on Odesa port claimed four lives, including three Syrian sailors and a Ukrainian, during the loading of a wheat shipment destined for Algeria. Ukraine’s Minister of Community and Territorial Development, Oleksiy Kuleba, confirmed on Telegram that the civilian ship was entirely non-military.
The attacks were executed shortly after Ukraine endorsed a U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, contingent upon a reciprocal commitment from Russia. In response, the United States pledged to resume intelligence sharing and security assistance for Ukraine. U.S. Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, acknowledged that intelligence sharing had already commenced.
Despite the proposal, Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly skeptical, viewing the ceasefire as a potential trap due to ongoing Russian military advances. An anonymous source indicated, “It is difficult for Putin to agree to this in its current form,” emphasizing Moscow’s strong position in the conflict. Ukraine has consistently rejected any ceasefire that would require ceding territory occupied by Russia, particularly the Crimean Peninsula, annexed in 2014.
U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed a commitment to resolving the war in Ukraine, often presenting a viewpoint sympathetic to Russia during discussions. Notably, he engaged in a heated exchange with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in late February. In concurrent developments, Kremlin-aligned military bloggers disseminated videos purportedly showing Russian forces raising flags in Sudzha, a town in the Kursk region occupied by Ukraine since August 2024.
In summary, Russia’s recent missile strikes on Ukrainian cities coincided with Ukraine’s acceptance of a U.S.-proposed ceasefire. Despite the hope for peace, skepticism remains on the Russian side regarding the proposal. U.S. support for Ukraine is poised to increase, yet challenges exist due to territorial disputes and military advances. Overall, the situation reflects the complexities of international relations and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Original Source: www.politico.eu
