Key developments on March 31: * There's 'psychological deadline' for Putin to agree to Ukraine ceasefire, Trump says * Kremlin says it remains open to US talks despite Trump's reported anger at Putin * Ukraine-US talks on minerals deal ongoing, not tied to NATO membership, source says * Russia trying to bypass Ukraine's positions
With much fanfare, the U.S. on March 25 announced it had brokered an agreement between Russia and Ukraine to "eliminate the use of force" in the Black Sea after two days of talks in Saudi Arabia. But while Kyiv said it was ready to abide by it straight away,
Foreign ministers from Spain, Germany, France, Italy, Britain, and Poland, along with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, called on Russia to agree to an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire on equal terms and with full implementation."
As the U.S. chooses an increasingly hostile posture toward Europe, the U.K. and France have been gearing up to lead the continent's defense without Washington. French President Emmanuel Macron has coined the term "strategic autonomy," which envisions a self-sufficient Europe that can defend itself and export its agenda
Although Russian conscripts are typically not deployed in active combat, Moscow has relied on financial incentives and pardons to recruit civilians for the war in Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov downplayed the reports, claiming Trump's comments were paraphrased rather than direct quotes.
Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said Ukraine's main tasks are holding defensive lines and stabilizing threats, which have been partially achieved, particularly in the Pokrovsk direction.
Three men were detained, including a Russian sleeper agent, the SBU said in a statement.
"The package includes, among other things, support for Ukraine’s air defense, artillery, satellite communications, and maritime capacity," Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson announced.
This support will include 500 million euros ($540 million) for Ukraine's Drone Line project, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said.
"Since this is also a priority sector, the Russians are trying to use every chance to bypass Ukrainian troops," said Victor Tregubov, a spokesperson for Ukraine's Khortytsia group of forces.
"The war in Ukraine is bigger than Democrats or Republicans, the Left or the Right. Whether you dislike President Trump or President (Volodymyr) Zelensky, real people are dying here," Pastor Mark Burns said.
In an interview with CNN, ultranationalist Russian ideologue Alexander Dugin praised U.S. President Donald Trump, saying he represented an ideology that "changes the balance in the world."
"We all understand that when the war in Ukraine will be stopped, Russia will redistribute its forces very quickly. That means also the threat level will increase significantly very quickly," said Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur.
This number includes 1,230 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
"Operations have resumed in the operating rooms, which were damaged by the blast wave. The hospital cannot stop providing assistance and treating patients for even a minute."
The comment followed Trump's phone call with NBC, during which he reportedly said he is "pissed off and very angry" about Putin's continued focus on President Volodymyr Zelensky.
"For several weeks, there has been a U.S. proposal for an unconditional ceasefire. And almost every day, in response to this proposal, there are Russian drones, bombs, artillery shelling, and ballistic strikes," Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb suggested that April 20 is a “good time for a complete ceasefire without any conditions” in Ukraine, Yle reported on March 30.
Key developments on March 29-30: * Putin will have nothing to say at peace negotiations, Zelensky says. * Russia preparing new offensive in 'coming weeks' to strengthen negotiating position, AP reports. * Russian negotiator suggests ceasefire may not be reached in 2025. * Trump says he's 'pissed off' and 'very angry' at Putin in
Ukrainian director and journalist Mstyslav Chernov’s documentary 2000 Meters to Andriivka received the F:ACT Award at Denmark’s CPH:DOX documentary film festival, organizers announced on March 29.
Sweden has allocated 80 million Swedish kronor ($7.6 million) to support Ukraine's drone and demining capabilities as part of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), the Swedish government announced in a press release on March 28.
U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly "pissed off" and "very angry" regarding Russian President Vladimir Putin's fixation over President Volodymyr Zelensky, NBC News reported on March 30.
Bakhmut fell to Russian forces in late spring 2023. It would go on to be described as one of the bloodiest battles of the full-scale war.
The Moskva sank on April 14, 2022, after being struck by two Ukrainian R-360 Neptune anti-ship missiles. The attack marked one of Kyiv’s most significant early victories in the full-scale war and dealt a major blow to Russia’s Black Sea fleet.
Russian occupants use such electronic warfare systems to "suppress radio communications and conduct electronic intelligence. The loss of such a system significantly weakens the capabilities of the aggressor’s army," Ukraine's military intelligence wrote.
The number includes 1,510 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
A Russian drone attack killed two people and injured at least 25 late on March 29, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported. Five children are among the wounded.
The news comes amid constant Russian attempts to cross the border in small groups and gain a foothold in the northeastern region.
Strong statements made after a summit of European leaders in Paris on March 27 demonstrated two things — France and the U.K. are determined to send peacekeepers to Ukraine, but the plans are currently hostage to the whims of the Kremlin. "You cannot trust the Russians any further than you
High-rise buildings, houses, a school, and a car wash were damaged, the Governor Serhii Lysak said.
Russia is likely preparing to launch a new offensive in the coming weeks to strengthen its position in possible peace talks with Ukraine, the Associated Press (AP) reported on March 29, citing Ukrainian analysts and two undisclosed G7 diplomatic sources.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, eight years after it annexed the Crimean Peninsula and led an armed aggression in Ukraine’s east.
In February 2014, almost immediately following the end of the EuroMaidan Revolution in Ukraine, Russia swiftly moved to annex and occupy Crimea. Within months, Russian proxy forces took control of parts of Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts.
By the start of 2022, Russia had amassed nearly 200,000 troops on Ukraine’s border. At 4:50 a.m. on Feb. 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced in a speech that Russia was to carry out “a special military operation.” Within minutes, missile strikes were launched on Ukrainian cities and the full-scale invasion had begun.
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