Ukraine receives 1.5 billion euro tranche from EU

3:55 AM

State Department did not delete investigation data into abducted Ukrainian children, spokesperson says.

The Trump administration cut funding to an initiative led by Yale University that tracked Russian war crimes, including the forced deportation of Ukrainian children. The database included thousands of Ukrainian children forcibly taken to Russia and there were concerns the data may have been deleted.

2:53 AM

Zelensky confirms new arrival of F-16 jets to Ukraine.

A new shipment of Western F-16 fighter jets has arrived in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed to journalists on March 19.

12:27 AM

Russian attacks on railway infrastructure in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast injure four workers.

Russia carried out two attacks on Ukraine's railway energy infrastructure in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, injuring four workers, Ukrzaliznytsia reported on March 19.

11:45 PM

Trump & Ukraine

Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant in focus of Ukraine peace talks. What's at stake?

11:23 PM

EU plans to supply at least 2 million shells annually to Ukraine.

The European Union plans to supply Ukraine with at least 2 million shells annually, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced on March 19.

10:08 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Trump, Zelensky hold phone call to discuss ceasefire; Ukraine brings back 175 soldiers from Russian captivity

9:58 PM

US has 'moved beyond minerals deal' to focus on lasting ceasefire in Ukraine, White House says.

Washington is now focused on achieving a lasting ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on March 19 when asked about the current status of the potential minerals deal between the U.S. and Ukraine.

9:36 PM

Ukraine Business Roundup — McDonald's and DOGE in Ukraine

9:16 PM

Trump agrees to help Ukraine find available Patriot air defense systems in Europe, White House says.

President Volodymyr Zelensky asked U.S. President Donald Trump for additional air defense systems to protect Ukrainian civilians, in particular, Patriot missile systems. The U.S. president agreed to find what was available, particularly in Europe, according to a readout of a call between the two leaders on March 19.

9:04 PM

US ownership of Ukraine's power plants would be 'best protection' of energy infrastructure, White House says.

President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky held a phone call on March 19, during which Trump suggested American ownership of Ukraine's power plants could help ensure their security.

7:58 PM

'Putin is stalling' — Trump 'ceasefire' call met with skepticism in Kyiv

7:16 PM  (Updated:  March 19, 2025 7:40 pm)

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.

7:11 PM

Video

Ukrainian writer on canceling Russian culture.

The Kyiv Independent's Kate Tsurkan sits down with Ukrainian writer Oksana Zabuzhko to discuss the role of writers and intellectuals in wartime, the importance of decolonization in Ukraine’s education, and why she wouldn't share a stage with Russian artists until Ukraine's victory.

7:07 PM

Leading Ukrainian mobile operator Kyivstar acquires ride-hailing service Uklon for $155 million.

Ukraine’s largest telecom operator, Kyivstar, has signed an agreement to acquire Uklon, a leading ride-hailing and delivery platform in the country, for $155.2 million, Kyistar’s parent company, Veon, announced in a press release on March 19.

6:55 PM

Opinion

Success of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine hinges on deterrence

6:42 PM

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.

5:22 PM

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.

4:56 PM

Belgorod Oblast

Ukraine denies Russian claims of thwarted attempt to invade Belgorod Oblast — here’s what we know.

On March 18, Russia’s Defense Ministry said it had stopped a significant Ukrainian ground assault from entering Russia’s Belgorod Oblast, a claim that Ukraine swiftly denied as a propaganda effort.

8:29 PM  (Updated:  March 19, 2025 4:52 pm)

War analysis

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

4:24 PM

Ukraine brings home 175 prisoners of war in swap with Russia.

Ukraine has brought home 175 Ukrainian soldiers in a one-for-one prisoner exchange with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on March 19.

4:19 PM

'Putin is playing a game here' — Germany's Pistorius criticizes Trump's ceasefire call with Moscow.

"After this supposedly groundbreaking, great phone call, the Russian attacks have not decreased," Boris Pistorius said.

4:14 PM

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.

3:48 PM

Germany agrees on additional $3.3 billion in military aid for Ukraine.

The outgoing German government agreed to release an additional 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) in military assistance for Ukraine, a German Finance Ministry spokesperson confirmed for the Kyiv Independent on March 19.

3:19 PM

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.

3:10 PM

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.