Ukraine Business Roundup

4:41 PM

Germany

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.

12:12 PM

Territorial integrity, military size, alliances — FM Sybiha sets 3 'fundamentals' for potential peace talks.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stressed that Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty are non-negotiable, reaffirming that Kyiv will never recognize Russian-occupied territories as part of Russia.

11:55 AM

Georgia sentences ex-President Saakashvili to additional 4.5 years over illegal border crossing.

The latest ruling follows a nine-year prison sentence issued last week over Saakashvili's alleged large-scale embezzlement of state funds, adding up to almost 12 additional years in prison.

11:43 AM

'We won't be dragged into this' — Hungary opposes $22 billion EU aid package for Ukraine.

"We won't be dragged into this; we will not allow Hungarian taxpayers' money to be used to finance arms shipments to Ukraine," Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said.

10:03 AM

Russia open to civilian observers in Ukraine under possible peace deal.

"A peace treaty may provide for unarmed observers in Ukraine, a civilian mission to monitor the implementation of certain aspects of the agreement, or guarantee mechanisms," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said.

9:30 AM

3 killed, 12 injured in Russian attacks against Ukraine over past day.

Ukrainian air defenses shot down 90 of the 174 attack and decoy drones launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported. Seventy other decoy drones reportedly disappeared from radars without causing damage.

9:14 AM

Ukrainian drones attack fuel facility in Russia's Astrakhan Oblast, governor claims.

"Overnight, the Ukrainian Armed Forces again attempted a massive drone attack on facilities located in the region, including a fuel and energy complex," Astrakhan Oblast Igor Babushkin claimed on March 17.

8:47 AM

US to withdraw from group investigating Russian leadership for crimes against Ukraine, NYT reports.

The Hague-based International Center for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine is a judicial hub supporting national investigations into the crime of aggression committed by the Russian leadership, including President Vladimir Putin, and Moscow's allies against Ukraine.

8:39 AM

Trump plans to call Putin on March 18 to discuss war in Ukraine.

"I'll be speaking to President Putin on Tuesday. A lot of work's been done over the weekend," U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters.

8:10 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 895,450 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,210 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

7:27 AM

Ukraine ceasefire faces battlefield challenges, envoy says.

"There is a nuclear reactor that supplies quite a bit of electricity to the country of Ukraine. That’s got to be dealt with," Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, said on March 16.

6:15 AM

Lviv airport could reopen by late spring, general director says.

If there is a positive outcome regarding the end of the war, Lviv's international airport could resume flights as early as April or May this year.

5:40 AM

Erdogan tells Trump that Turkey supports US efforts to end Russia's war.

Turkey has positioned itself as a potential mediator in Russia's war against Ukraine, now in its fourth year, by maintaining diplomatic and economic ties with both nations while supporting Ukraine's sovereignty.

4:38 AM

'Plan A is get the shooting to stop' — Rubio says as US pushes for ceasefire in Ukraine.

Speaking on CBS’s "Face the Nation" on March 16, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the primary goal is to secure a ceasefire before moving forward with broader negotiations for a permanent resolution.

2:58 AM

Lithuania backs EU plan for $43.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine, Reuters reports.

Lithuania ranks among Europe's top defense spenders, allocating 2.85% of its GDP to defense in 2024, according to NATO estimates.