Zelensky agrees to halt strikes on Russian energy infrastructure during call with Trump
President Volodymyr Zelensky said he agreed to stop strikes on Russian energy infrastructure during a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on March 19.
United States
US, Russian officials to meet in Saudi Arabia in 'coming days,' Waltz says
National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said he had discussed Trump's efforts to end the war in Ukraine with Yuri Ushakov, a close adviser to Putin.
Trump, Zelensky hold hour-long phone call, discuss aligning Russia and Ukraine's 'requests and needs,' US president says
"Just completed a very good telephone call with President Zelensky of Ukraine. It lasted approximately one hour. Much of the discussion was based on the call made yesterday with President Putin in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs," U.S. President Donald Trump said following the conversation.
Ukraine ceasefire could be reached 'in a couple of weeks,' Witkoff says
“I actually think in a couple of weeks we’re going to get to it (a ceasefire). So, lots of good things. Now it’s for the technical teams to dot the I’s and cross the T’s. And everybody is committed to that process," said U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.
US court blocks cuts to USAID, says Musk's DOGE likely violated Constitution
The court order requires the Trump administration to restore email and computer access to all USAID employees, including those on administrative leave. However, it does not reinstate the agency in full or reverse staff firings.
Trump Jr., Witkoff, Carlson involved in secret talks with Zelensky's rivals, Politico reports
U.S. President Donald Trump's son, Donald Jr., news host Tucker Carlson, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, and special envoy Steve Witkoff were involved in backchannel talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky's political rivals, Politico reported on March 18, citing undisclosed sources.
Trump’s push for regime change in Ukraine has only boosted Zelensky
The debate over Ukraine’s elections and future leadership is intensifying. With peace talks gaining momentum, calls for elections are growing louder, and both the Russian and American sides are questioning Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s legitimacy. However, criticism from the Kremlin and the Oval Office has inadvertently solidified his
Ukraine to compile list of energy sites Russia must stop attacking, Zelensky says
"And if the Russians don't hit our facilities, we won't hit their facilities," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
RFE/RL sues Trump administration over funding cuts
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) sued the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) on March 18 over the termination of grant funding, calling the action unconstitutional.
US reportedly assures EU about role in Ukraine peace talks as Russia seeks sanctions relief
The move may reassure European leaders, who have expressed concerns that the U.S. would attempt to broker a deal without their involvement.
Zelensky announces talk with Trump on March 19; says Russia attacked Ukraine's power grid despite claimed pause
"Today, I will contact President Trump. We will discuss the details of the next steps," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
US scales down efforts in countering Russian sabotage, Reuters reports
Under former U.S. President Joe Biden, the National Security Council coordinated the effort of at least seven security agencies, who worked with European partners to disrupt Russia's escalating hybrid activities across the European continent.
46% of Americans think US support for Ukraine is insufficient, poll finds
According to the poll, 46% of Americans believe Washington is not providing sufficient assistance to Ukraine — 16% more than in December.
US may relinquish leadership of NATO's European command, NBC reports
For nearly 75 years, a four-star U.S. general has held the position of Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), overseeing NATO's military strategy and operations.
Putin didn't mention military aid in phone call, Trump says
Trump also said it was "a great call" and that the U.S. hopes to expand trade with Russia, including deals on "very big forms of rare earth."
'I don't want us to be on Putin's menu' — Zelensky says negotiations must include Ukraine
"We are an independent state. Without us, I think it's wrong to negotiate," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on March 18.
Kyiv supports energy sector ceasefire, expects military aid to continue, Zelensky says
"We will support such a proposal, but we're very interested in the details," Zelensky said, in reference to a proposed 30-day ceasefire on energy infrastructure attacks.
Trump, Putin open to 'mutually beneficial cooperation' in key sectors, Kremlin says
"A number of ideas were discussed that are moving towards the development of mutually beneficial cooperation in the economy and energy sector," the Kremlin said in a readout of the March 18 phone call between Putin and Trump.
Ukraine war latest: Putin, Trump hold 1.5-hour call, discuss ceasefire in Ukraine
Key developments on March 18: * Trump-Putin call: Russia agrees to 30-day pause of energy infrastructure strikes * US announces another round of negotiations in Middle East on war in Ukraine * Ukrainian forces attempted to enter Belgorod Oblast, repelled by Russian forces, Russia claims * Ukraine withdraws from one front-line sector in Donetsk
Zelensky confirms prisoner exchange, says he has not yet spoken with Trump after Putin call
"I expect that we will have a conversation with President Trump, we will understand the details," Zelensky told Suspilne on March 18. "We have always supported the position of not attacking the energy sector with any weapons."
US announces another round of negotiations in Middle East on war in Ukraine
"This conflict should never have started and should have been ended long ago with sincere and good faith peace efforts," the White House's statement read.
Kremlin demands halt to foreign military aid, intelligence to Ukraine as condition for avoiding war escalation
The Kremlin has demanded a complete cessation of foreign military aid and intelligence to Ukraine as a "key condition for avoiding an escalation of the war," according to a statement released on March 18.
Trump-Putin call lasts 1.5 hours, NBC reports
U.S. President Donald Trump has completed a 1.5-hour phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, NBC reported on March 18, citing an unnamed White House source.
Trump, Putin call 'going well,' White House official says
U.S. President Donald Trump has been speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin since 10:00 a.m. EDT, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino said on X.
Russian negotiator says he expects talks with Musk on space, tech
Kirill Dmitriev, the CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), said he expects Russia to hold talks with U.S. billionaire and President Donald Trump's ally, Elon Musk, in the near future, the pro-state news agency RBK reported on March 18.
UK reportedly hopes US drones, satellites will help monitor Ukraine ceasefire
The U.S. military has 247 military satellites and thousands of commercial satellites, providing an "unrivaled picture" of eastern Ukraine that European forces would struggle to replicate, the Times wrote.
Russia sees US aid halt during Ukraine truce as its 'minimum' goal, Bloomberg reports
The Kremlin wants all Western arms supplies to Ukraine to stop during a proposed truce but prioritizes a pause on U.S. arms as its "minimum aim," Bloomberg reported on March 18, citing two undisclosed sources in Moscow.
Russia 'not losing hope' ahead of planned Putin-Trump call, top Putin aide says
Russia is not "losing hope" ahead of a planned call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov told pro-Kremlin news outlet Kommersant on March 18.
Critical Ukraine coverage at risk as Trump slashes Radio Free Europe funding
The U.S. decision to cut off funding for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty came as a surprise for the outlet’s newsroom, a source in the RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service told the Kyiv Independent. “We understood that the U.S. president, to put it mildly, does not like us,
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.
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.
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.
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