Russia Watch
Latvia to provide 1,500 combat drones to Ukraine. – The Kyiv Independent
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China calls for ‘fair and binding’ Ukraine peace deal: A push for lasting stability – BLiTZ – Fears None But God
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U.S. reconsiders Ukraine peace deal strategy, looks to pressure Moscow and Kyiv – Reuters – Investing.com
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German foreign minister says Ukraine peace talks at ‘deadlock’, but China disagrees– www.euronews.com
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Excerpt:
The German foreign minister says that US President Donald Trump’s efforts to secure a truce in Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine are at a deadlock, but her Chinese counterpart claims that it is encouraging that peace talks between Washington and Moscow continue.Arriving in Kyiv for an unannounced visit, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that “due to the deadlock” between the US and Russia on a ceasefire deal, European allies’ continued support for Ukraine in the war is “absolutely crucial”.
Yet at the same time, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, on a visit to Moscow, was quoted as saying Tuesday that “certain results have been achieved” in Washington’s attempt to stop the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion, now in its fourth year.
In an interview with Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, he said that Beijing supports the goal of “a fair, long-term, binding peace agreement acceptable to all parties involved”.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Wang is scheduled to meet with Putin and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday, but no further details were given.
Ukraine to deploy thousands of combat robots in 2025 to boost battlefield power – TVP World
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Zelensky Urges Europe to Unite Behind Ukraine, 3 Years After Bucha Massacre– www.themoscowtimes.com
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Excerpt:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday visited Bucha, where Russia’s army is accused of murdering hundreds of civilians three years ago, urging European allies to unite to prevent fresh massacres.
Following Russia’s retreat from the Kyiv suburb of Bucha after a month-long occupation ending March 31, 2022, AFP journalists saw the bodies of at least 20 civilians lying on a street after being shot dead, some with hands tied behind their backs.
It was the first in a string of macabre discoveries in towns abandoned by Russian forces, which sparked an international outcry and war crimes investigations. Moscow has denied responsibility, accusing Ukraine of staging incidents.
“Please remember that Bucha is not ‘somewhere in Ukraine’; it is something that can happen in any European country if our unity does not work now to genuinely hold Russia accountable for this war,” Zelensky said at a ceremony.
Poland charges Ukrainian man with spying for Russia – Al Arabiya English
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Sweden pledges $1.6 billion in new Ukraine aid, including air defense– www.yahoo.com
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Excerpt:
PARIS — Sweden announced additional military aid for Ukraine to the tune of 16 billion Swedish kronor ($1.6 billion), in response to a Ukrainian request for capabilities in air defense, artillery, satellite communications and the maritime domain.
The new military aid package, Sweden’s biggest yet, brings support for Ukraine’s defense to 29.5 billion kronor this year, the government said on Monday. The Nordic country said it has provided 80 billion kronor of military aid to Ukraine since 2022.
“We are stepping up the support and we are increasing it in strength and scope, and there are strong reasons to do this in light of the very serious situation in Ukraine,” Minister for Defence Pål Jonson said at a press briefing in Stockholm on Monday. “Russia has the initiative in the war, and we need to support Ukraine to break that trend right now.”
The Swedish government has proposed to provide 40 billion kronor in aid in Ukraine in 2025, partially by moving funds earmarked for 2026 to this year.
Putin open to contacts after Trump criticism: Kremlin– thehill.com
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Russian President Vladimir Putin says he’s open to staying in touch with the White House after critical comments from the U.S. president toward Russia’s leader, which have been rare amid his efforts to get peace talks rolling.
Putin criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday, suggesting he may not be a legitimate leader, and therefore unable to represent Ukraine in peace talks.
Trump said Sunday he was “very angry” and “pissed off” at Putin’s remarks about Zelensky, and threatened to impose new tariffs on Russian oil exports.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated on Monday the remarks would not derail ongoing discussions related to Ukraine.
“We are working to implement some ideas in connection with the Ukrainian settlement. This work is ongoing,” Peskov said, per The Associated Press.
NATO members considering deploying air and naval forces to Ukraine – WaPo — RT World News– www.rt.com
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Excerpt:
Several European nations are reportedly shifting away from the idea of sending ground troops to the country
France and the UK are leading discussions on sending a military force to Ukraine, with the focus shifting to a potential deployment of air and naval forces amid ongoing ceasefire negotiations, the Washington Post reported on Sunday, citing sources.
The two countries seek to send a European-led ‘reassurance force’ to Ukraine to secure cities and key sites away from the front lines and to provide logistical support and training to the Ukrainian army.
As part of the effort, a French-British military team plans to visit Ukraine in the coming weeks to assess the number of troops needed and potential deployment locations, the WaPo says.
According to unnamed diplomats familiar with the matter, “the European focus has also shifted to air and sea power” due to concerns over whether the West would be able to maintain a large deployment of ground troops, while some NATO members have proposed using their assets to patrol the skies or the Black Sea.
However, some European officials doubt that a ceasefire – a precondition for deploying troops – will be reached soon, a WaPo source said. According to the paper, some diplomats describe the discussions about sending the military to Ukraine “as an exercise in preparation and leverage.”
Several European countries are reportedly hesitant to send troops without a promise from the US to intervene in case of an escalation, with European officials seeking American support in the form of air defense assets, intelligence, and heavy airlift. However, US President Donald Trump has not provided assurances, with officials from his team offering mixed signals over whether the option is even on the table.
While Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, recently described the initiative as “simplistic,” a French official familiar with the matter told the WaPo that the discussions are proceeding “in perfect harmony with our American partners, who are interested in this approach and have told us it’s a good one.”
Russia has warned against any unauthorized deployment of foreign troops to Ukraine, which it would consider to be legitimate targets. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said Moscow is opposed to the idea of deploying NATO troops to Ukraine, regardless of whether they are “under a foreign flag, under the flag of the European Union or national flags.”
Ukraine-Russia war latest: Trump ‘very angry’ with Putin for stalling ceasefire and threatens more sanctions – The Independent
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Trump Putin: Russian newspaper fires salvo at Trump for not fulfilling ‘obligations’ after his ‘angry with Putin’ remark– timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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Excerpt:
Reacting to US President Donald Trump’s caustic remark about Vladimir Putin that he was “pissed off” at Putin for delaying agreement with Ukraine to end the ongoing war, Moskovsky Komsomolets, a leading pro-Kremlin paper, accused Trump of not fulfilling “obligations” to stop Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.
“All agreements on the level of President Trump are only worth a few pennies on market day. Moscow is prepared to make a deal with the US president, as ‘the leader of the free world’, and the undisputed boss of Nato and ‘the lord and master of Kyiv’. But right now the leader is not leading, the boss is not bossing and the lord is not directing his vassal,” the paper stated. “The Trump administration is demonstrating a strange passivity, a strange inconsistency and a strange inability to fulfil the obligations it took upon itself,” the report said adding that Moscow has another way of ending the Ukraine crisis in a manner that suits Russia.“If the diplomats cannot move the peace process forward, the military will do all the talking. Putin has made his move, now we wait for Trump’s,” the paper said.
As Trump sees Ukraine peace deal slipping away he lashes out at both Putin and Zelensky– www.washingtonexaminer.com
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Excerpt:
TRUMP: ‘VERY ANGRY, PISSED OFF’: With Russian President Vladimir Putin showing he’s in no hurry to make peace with Ukraine and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky balking at the latest version of the proposed mineral deals with the U.S., President Donald Trump is showing his frustration with both leaders as the prospects for a quick, war-ending deal are fading fast.
Trump, as quoted by NBC Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker, is unhappy with Putin’s latest delaying tactic, calling for “temporary international administration” in Ukraine under the auspices of the United Nations, because Putin claims Zelensky is not the legitimate leader of Ukraine.
“The president told me, quote, ‘I was very angry, pissed off’ when Putin started getting into Zelensky’s credibility and started talking about new leadership in Ukraine,” Welker said in the opening of her Sunday show. “If Russia and I are unable to make a deal on stopping the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I think it was Russia’s fault, which it might not be. But if I think it was Russia’s fault, I am going to put secondary tariffs on all oil coming out of Russia,” Welker quoted Trump as saying.
Ukraine-Russia war latest: Trump ‘p***** off’ with Putin and threatens more sanctions if ceasefire not agreed – The Independent
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Trump’s ‘Moved Beyond’ Critical Deal, White House Confirms Grander Plans– www.westernjournal.com
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Excerpt:
Well before politics were even a glint in his eye, President Donald Trump often boasted about his business acumen and mastery of “the art of the deal.”
Now nearing close to a decade in the political spotlight, Trump is showing that he still holds both of those values quite dearly.
While answering questions during her Wednesday media session, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that Trump has “moved beyond” the ballyhooed Ukraine mineral deal — and onto something much bigger.
“We have moved beyond the economic mineral deal,” Leavitt told the New York Post.
Apparently, Trump has now set his sights on two bigger targets in the region, the first being taking over Ukraine’s military facilities.
Trump says he had “very good” call with Zelenskyy one day after speaking to Putin– www.cbsnews.com
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Excerpt:
Washington — President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke on the phone Wednesday morning in a call that lasted roughly an hour, according to Mr. Trump.
“Just completed a very good telephone call with President Zelenskyy of Ukraine,” the president wrote on Truth Social. “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.”
The call comes a day after Mr. Trump’s lengthy call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which Mr. Trump said Putin agreed to a 30-day ceasefire against Ukraine’s energy and infrastructure. The commitment fell short of the full ceasefire pushed by the U.S. and agreed to by Ukraine. Hours after Mr. Trump and Putin hung up, Russia launched a series of drone strikes that struck civilian areas and damaged a hospital.
Trump and Putin agree to an immediate ceasefire for energy infrastructure in Ukraine conflict – AP News
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Excerpt:
President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed during a lengthy call Tuesday to an immediate pause in strikes against energy infrastructure in the Ukraine war, but the Russian leader stopped short of backing a broader 30-day pause in fighting that the U.S. administration is pressing for.
The White House described it as the first step in a “movement to peace” that it hopes will include a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea and eventually a full and lasting end to the fighting. But there was no indication that Putin has backed away from his conditions for a prospective peace deal, which are fiercely opposed by Kyiv. And shortly after the call ended, air raid alerts sounded in Kyiv, followed by explosions in the city. Local officials urged people to seek shelter.
For Russia, Trump-Putin call marks Moscow’s return to the world stage– www.washingtonpost.com
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Ukraine’s Zelensky talked to Trump 24 hours later and hoped the United States will monitor any ceasefire as Kyiv and Moscow traded salvos overnight.
Brit spyplane buzzes Russian convoy packed with weapons stalking in Channel as UK to draw up Ukraine ‘peacekeeper’ plan– www.thesun.co.uk
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A ROYAL Air Force spy plane roared over a Russian warship in a dramatic Channel showdown – as Europe’s top generals “swoop into London” to discuss putting troops in Ukraine.
The Poseidon P-8A patrol plane buzzed the destroyer Severomorsk as it led a Russian convoy retreating past the cliffs of Dover.
US envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff: Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor will travel to Saudi Arabia to hold talks with Russia – CGTN
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Donald Trump says ‘working quickly to have complete ceasefire’ after ‘very good’ call with Vladimir Putin– timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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Trump touts agreement after ‘very good and productive’ phone call with Putin, while critics say he’s being played, bigly– www.washingtonexaminer.com
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Democrats Turn to Legally Dubious Ruling Coauthored by DEI Activist To Protect California’s EV Mandate– freebeacon.com
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Excerpt:Democrats are relying on a recent memo from the Government Accountability Office to argue that President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans can’t pass a bill repealing a Biden-era waiver allowing California to mandate electric vehicles in the state. But legal experts say the memo—whose authors include a prominent DEI activist—isn’t legally binding and relies on dubious reasoning.
The Government Accountability Office—which conducts audits and analyses for Congress but has minimal legislative authority—published the memo earlier this month just two weeks after Democratic senators Adam Schiff (Calif.), Alex Padilla (Calif.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.) asked it to investigate the issue. Media outlets then reported that the memo determined a bill to reverse the Biden-era action is “illegal” and that the office, therefore, “blocks” such a bill.
The office’s memo presents a potential roadblock to Trump’s energy agenda, a key tenet of which involves revoking electric vehicle mandates. Democrats, who cheered the opinion immediately after it was published, may request that the Senate parliamentarian weigh in on the issue and consult the Government Accountability Office’s opinion.
Trump and Putin discuss Ukraine war, White House says the talks are going well– www.channelnewsasia.com
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Excerpt:
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed moves to end the Ukraine war on Tuesday (Mar 18) and the White House said their phone call was going well.
Trump hopes to convince Putin to accept a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire and move towards a permanent end to the three-year-old conflict.
A White House official said the two leaders had been on the phone since 10am (10pm, Singapore time).
“The call is going well, and still in progress,” Dan Scavino, White House deputy chief of staff, wrote in a post on social media platform X.
Zelensky arrives in Saudi Arabia for crucial peace talks with US officials– www.france24.com
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Excerpt:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived in Saudi Arabia for crucial talks on ending the war with Russia. He is scheduled to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman before joining US and Ukrainian officials for negotiations on a peace framework and potential ceasefire. The talks in Jeddah mark the first meeting between the two sides since Zelensky’s White House visit last month. Here is Philip Turle’s analysis.
News24 | Ukraine launches drone attack wave on Moscow, killing one and shutting down airports– www.news24.com
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Ukraine has launched a “massive” drone attack against Moscow that killed at least one person, injured several others and saw the shutdown of airports and damaged residential buildings, officials and aviation authorities said.
Russian Army Reports Major Advances in Kursk Region After ‘Operation Pipeline’– www.themoscowtimes.com
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Excerpt:
Russia has reclaimed more than 100 square kilometers (38.6 square miles) of territory and 12 villages from Ukrainian forces in the southwestern Kursk region over the past 24 hours, the Russian military said Tuesday.
“The North Group of Forces has liberated 12 settlements during offensive actions… and more than 100 square kilometers of the Kursk region,” Russia’s Defense Ministry said in a daily briefing.
The retaken settlements include Agronom, Bogdanovka, Bondarevka, Dmitryukov, Zazulevka, Ivashkovskiy, Kolmakov, Kubatkin, Martynovka, Mikhaylovka, Pravda and Yuzhny, all located just north or east of the Ukrainian-held city of Sudzha.
Russia’s significant advances this past month, which analysts say put Ukrainian forces at risk of encirclement, appear to have taken advantage of U.S. President Donald Trump’s suspension of military aid and intelligence sharing to Ukraine.
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Playing his ‘Trump card,’ Putin goes for the kill to force Zelensky’s hand– www.washingtonexaminer.com
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Excerpt:
PUTIN’S POWER PLAY: Emboldened by President Donald Trump’s suspension of military aid and intelligence to Ukraine, Russian forces have stepped up the pace of air attacks and redoubled efforts to take back captured territory in the Kursk region in what appears to be an attempt to solidify its battlefield position ahead of a forced surrender by Kyiv.
Ukrainian troops in the field suspect that the U.S. is not just hurting Ukraine, but helping Russian forces in the Kursk region, who seem to have new intelligence about Ukrainian positions as they attempt to encircle Ukrainian forces and retake the tiny sliver of Russian territory that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hoped to use as one of his few bargaining chips in any peace negotiation. Ukrainian soldiers in the border region have complained on X that they come under instant heavy attack as soon as they activate their Starlink terminals.
“Throughout this week, Russia has carried out hundreds of attacks against our people using various types of weapons: around 1,200 guided aerial bombs, nearly 870 attack drones, and over 80 missiles of different types,” Zelensky posted on X over the weekend, ahead of a scheduled trip to Saudi Arabia today. Zelensky said a Saturday attack in Dobropillya, a city in the Donetsk region, was “one of the most brutal” striking civilians targets, including nine residential buildings, a shopping center, and killing 11 people.
Musk and Rubio spar with Polish minister over Ukraine’s use of Starlink – BBC.com
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Excerpt:
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Elon Musk have clashed with Poland’s foreign minister over the use of the tech billionaire’s Starlink satellite internet system in Ukraine.
Musk said on X that Ukraine’s “entire front line” would collapse if he turned the system off. Radoslaw Sikorski responded, saying his country paid for its use in Ukraine and a threat to shut it down would result in a search for another network.
Rubio dismissed Sikorski’s claims and told him to be grateful, while Musk called him a “small man”.
The exchange appeared to lead to Polish PM Donald Tusk calling on his country’s allies to show respect for their weaker partners, rather than arrogance.
Starlink’s system is part of SpaceX’s venture to provide high-speed internet to remote and underserved areas. It has been used extensively by the Ukrainian military.