Mayor: Up to 60,000 people remain in Russian-occupied Melitopol, or one-third of pre-invasion population.

7:52 PM

Ukraine Reforms Tracker Weekly — Issue 16

7:46 PM

Ukraine, EU drafting plan for first steps toward lasting peace, Zelensky says.

Ukraine and Europe are working on a plan for the first steps toward a just and sustainable peace as Russia's full-scale invasion enters its fourth year, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on March 5.

7:10 PM

Zelensky to take part in special European Council meeting on March 6.

President Volodymyr Zelensky will take part in a special meeting of the European Council on March 6, a senior EU official confirmed to the Kyiv Independent.

7:02 PM

Ukraine Business Roundup — Dark days for Ukraine

5:58 PM

Video

How Trump’s Ukraine peace plan could backfire.

U.S. President Donald Trump entered the White House promising to bring a swift end to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and his first few weeks in office have proven he’s determined to follow through. While his endeavour to fulfil a campaign promise in itself is not too surprising, the way he is approaching the issue has stunned not only Ukraine, but also the U.S.’s long-term global allies, who are now scrambling to adjust to a world in which Washington cannot be viewed as a reliable security partner. The Kyiv Independent spoke to George Barros, Russia team lead at the Institute for the Study of War, who explains why America’s global adversaries will be “salivating” at what is currently unfolding on the global stage.

5:56 PM

70% of Americans say Ukraine is not to blame for war with Russia, poll shows.

According to the survey, 70% of adults surveyed disagreed with the statement "Ukraine is more to blame for starting the war." Seven percent agreed.

2:26 PM  (Updated:  March 5, 2025 5:10 pm)

US halts intelligence sharing with Ukraine, CIA director confirms.

The U.S. has halted intelligence sharing with Kyiv, threatening Ukraine's ability to strike Russian targets amid the full-scale war, CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed to Fox Business on March 5.

9:59 AM  (Updated:  March 5, 2025 4:07 pm)

Updated: France denies plans for Macron's visit to Washington with Zelensky, Starmer.

President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer might visit Washington as early as next week to present a "united front" on peace in Ukraine, the British tabloid Daily Mail reported on March 5, citing diplomatic sources.

3:50 PM

Drone coalition mobilizes over $2 billion to boost Ukraine's defense, ministry says.

An allied initiative, co-headed by the U.K. and Latvia, was launched in January 2024.

3:41 PM

Trump may resume Ukraine aid after further progress toward peace, White House says.

U.S. President Donald Trump may lift restrictions on military support for Ukraine once peace talks are arranged and further steps toward confidence-building, White House national security adviser Mike Waltz said on March 5.

3:23 PM

Russia jails British volunteer fighting for Ukraine for 19 years.

The court sentenced Anderson on "terrorism" and "mercenarism" charges. Russia often portrays foreign volunteers fighting for Ukraine as "mercenaries" and claims they are not entitled to protection as prisoners of war.

3:12 PM

Ukraine destroys Russian long-range surveillance system, shows combat footage.

Ukrainian forces carried out the strike with drones, according to the statement.

2:36 PM

Fashion

Why doesn't Zelensky wear a suit?

1:50 PM

Russia's oil, gas budget revenue in February drops by 18% year-on-year.

Oil and gas revenues last month amounted to 771.3 billion rubles ($8.6 billion), a significant drop from 945.6 billion rubles ($10.5 billion) in February 2024 and a moderate decrease in comparison to 789.1 billion rubles ($8.8 billion) in January.

1:35 PM

Minsk could be best place for trilateral talks between Russia, US, Ukraine, Kremlin says.

"This issue has not been brought up or discussed in any way. But, of course, Minsk is the best place for us. It is our main ally, so it is the best place for negotiations," Dmitriy Peskov said.

12:38 PM

US military aid freeze remains in place so far despite Zelensky's statement, WSJ reports.

The sources reportedly said it remains unclear whether Zelensky's recent statement, in which he affirmed commitment to peace and called his recent public spat with Trump "regrettable," would be enough to restart the U.S. aid.

12:27 PM

Donald Trump

'Utterly staggered' — Trump's Ukraine military aid freeze threatens the world order, expert says

11:57 AM

Most French support assistance to Ukraine, sending peacekeepers, poll shows.

Some 64% of respondents want France to continue to provide assistance to Ukraine. Meanwhile, 20% of respondents believe that the amount of aid must be increased.

11:35 AM

Merz seeks to quickly push through $3.2 billion in German aid for Ukraine.

Speaking at a press conference, Friedrich Merz said he is discussing the issue with outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has opposed the package unless funded by additional government borrowing.

10:44 AM

Ukraine natural resources deal not ready as Trump seeks better terms, CBS News reports.

The painstakingly negotiated deal was scheduled to be signed on Feb. 28, but that plan was derailed after a public clash between Trump and Zelensky, leaving the agreement's fate uncertain.

10:31 AM

Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 2, injure 7 over past day.

Ukraine's air defense shot down 115 drones over Kharkiv, Sumy, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Poltava, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Odesa, and Cherkasy oblasts, the Air Force said.

9:11 AM

Russia launches operation against Islamic State in Dagestan, kills 4, authorities claim.

"There were no casualties among the civilian population or losses among law enforcement personnel," Russia's National Anti-Terrorism Committee claimed.

8:42 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 880,660 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

This number includes 1,250 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

8:36 AM

Vance denies lack of Trump admin's pressure on Russia.

"Well, I don’t think that’s right, actually," U.S. Vice President JD Vance replied to a journalist who suggested that Washington is exerting pressure on Kyiv but not on Moscow.

7:14 AM

Lukashenko invites Trump, Zelensky, Putin to hold talks in Minsk.

"We'll come to an agreement quietly, without noise, without shouting. So tell Trump: I'm waiting for him here, along with Putin and Zelensky."