White House event reveals Ukraine and Russia share one goal: flattering Melania

What happened: Melania Trump hosted senior Russian and Ukrainian officials at the White House on Thursday to celebrate a ceasefire in Oleshky, a frontline Ukrainian town occupied by Russia, which she helped broker. Key numbers: 800 people lived in Oleshky through the humanitarian crisis. A Russian "double-tap" strike killed 40 people in Zaporizhzhia on Wednesday. Why it matters: The event marks the first lady's unlikely role as a broker between the two sides, though the single-town ceasefire comes as Russian missiles and drones continue to strike Kyiv and other major cities. Coverage: 5 outlets in 24h

Melania Trump hosted senior Russian and Ukrainian officials at the White House on Thursday to celebrate a ceasefire in Oleshky, a frontline Ukrainian town occupied by Russia, which she helped broker.

The event marks the first lady's unlikely role as a broker between the two sides, though the single-town ceasefire comes as Russian missiles and drones continue to strike Kyiv and other major cities.