Japan PM instructs ministers to support Ukraine, continue Russian sanctions

3:54 AM

Belarus authorities sentence Japanese citizen to 7 years in prison on espionage charges.

Masatoshi Nakanishi has been in custody since July for allegedly spying for for a foreign intelligence agency between 2018 and 2024, local authorities said. Nakanishi's arrest was only publicly announced in September 2024, despite his arrest several months prior.

2:53 AM

Over 30 countries expected to contribute to UK-led 'coalition of the willing,' official says.

"The UK expects more than 30 countries to be involved in the coalition of the willing," U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spokesperson said on March 17.

12:36 AM

press freedom

Critical Ukraine coverage at risk as Trump slashes Radio Free Europe funding

12:28 AM

Putin should drop 'absurd demands' in peace talks with Trump, Polish Foreign Minister says.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said on March 17 that it was his hope that U.S. President Donald Trump will get Russian President Vladimir Putin to abandon "some absurd demands" toward establishing a peace deal in Ukraine.

11:19 PM

'We’ve never been closer to a peace deal,' White House says ahead of Trump-Putin call.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on March 17 that the Trump administration believes they have "never been closer" to closing a ceasefire deal in Ukraine, ahead of a call scheduled between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin for March 18.

10:28 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian military refutes claim that Russia captured Zaporizhzhia Oblast village

9:59 PM

Ukrainian long-range drone successfully completes 3,000-kilometer test, Zelensky says.

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on March 17 in his evening address that a Ukrainian long-range drone has successfully completed testing, demonstrating its ability to fly 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles).

9:24 PM

New Canadian prime minister invites Zelensky to attend G7 summit in June.

Newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has invited President Volodymyr Zelensky to attend the Group of Seven (G7) summit in June, Le Journal de Quebec reported on March 17, citing a Canadian Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

9:14 PM

Baltics

‘Talk about an invasion is everywhere’ — How Lithuania is preparing for war with Russia

8:50 PM

Ukraine's Supreme Court rules illegal mobilization not grounds for dismissal from military.

The conscription of a person liable for military service during mobilization is irreversible, Ukraine's Supreme Court ruled on March 17, following a lawsuit by a serviceman who claimed he had been drafted illegally.

8:29 PM

War analysis

Who is to gain more from a ceasefire — Russia or Ukraine?

8:01 PM

EU plan to send over $40 billion in military aid has 'broad political support,' Kallas says.

The initiative to provide Ukraine with 40 billion euros ($43.6 billion) in military aid has "broad political support" among EU member states, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on March 17 before the Council of Foreign Ministers meeting in Brussels.

6:31 PM

Russia claims capture of Stepove in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Ukraine denies.

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed Russian forces captured the Ukrainian village of Stepove in Zaporizhzhia Oblast on March 17. Ukraine's Southern Defense Forces spokesperson Vladyslav Voloshyn denied the statement.

5:04 PM

EU foreign ministers to discuss US withdrawal of funding for RFE/RL.

EU foreign ministers are set to discuss the termination of the U.S. grant that funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) during a meeting in Brussels on March 17, according to a Kyiv Independent reporter in Brussels.

4:41 PM

Opinion

Germany's military rebirth is Europe’s best bet against Putin

4:25 PM

Lithuania suspects Russia behind arson attacks in Vilnius and Warsaw last year.

The Lithuanian prosecutor’s office alleges that Russia's military intelligence formed a special group to carry out arson attacks across Lithuania, Poland, and Latvia.

3:36 PM

Seoul, Kyiv discuss transfer of North Korean POWs to South Korea.

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul and his Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha discussed the potential transfer of two North Korean POWs in a phone call.

10:53 AM  (Updated:  March 17, 2025 3:14 pm)

Russia sanctions could be eventually eased in exchange for security, justice for Ukraine, Ukrainian official suggests.

Western sanctions against Russia could be eventually eased if the step ensures security and justice for Ukraine, top Ukrainian sanctions official Vladyslav Vlasiuk told Politico in an interview published on March 17.

3:02 PM

Anna Maksymenko wins Ukraine's first Grand Prix fencing gold since 2020.

This marks Ukraine's first Grand Prix victory in fencing since 2020, when Olha Kharlan won gold in saber in Montreal.

2:45 PM

Serbia needs 'protecting' from repeat of Ukraine's EuroMaidan, Vucic claims.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on March 16 drew comparisons between the anti-government protests in Serbia and Ukraine's 2014 EuroMaidan revolution, vowing to "protect and defend" the country from such an event.

2:27 PM

Germany delivers Gepard air defenses, shells, drones, other aid to Ukraine.

Germany has provided three Gepard anti-aircraft systems with 10,000 rounds of ammunition, 24 mine protection vehicles, and other defense aid to Ukraine in its latest round of delivery announced on March 17.

2:01 PM

Kyiv reportedly extradites German suspected of rape who fought for Ukraine.

Ukraine has extradited a German citizen who fought in Ukraine's Defense Forces and is suspected of rape and other crimes, the BBC and Suspilne reported on March 17, citing sources in the Prosecutor General's Office.

1:11 PM

Rubio asked Hungary not to block EU sanctions, Politico reports.

Budapest had initially planned to veto the sanctions renewal, citing U.S. President Donald Trump's return to the White House and the possibility of a shift in U.S. policy toward Russia.

12:41 PM

EU approves third $3.8 billion tranche for Kyiv under Ukraine Facility program.

With this disbursement, Ukraine will have received nearly 20 billion euros ($21,7 billion) under the Ukraine Facility since the program was launched in early 2024.

12:21 PM

Zelensky signs law permitting Ukrainian troops to operate abroad during martial law.

The legislation permits Ukrainian military formations, units, and subdivisions to be deployed to other countries for national security purposes, including repelling armed aggression, protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity, and exercising the right to self-defense.