Newsletter 18/03/2025
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
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White House says Russia agreed to limited ceasefire
The Donald Trump administration announced that Russia has agreed to a limited stop in attacks on energy facilities and infrastructure in Ukraine as part of an initiative proposed by the U.S. to establish peace in the country.
The White House said this in a readout of Donald Trump's call with Vladimir Putin.
These negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East, the statement added.
Both leaders agreed that the conflict must end with a lasting peace.
Kremlin says Putin agreed to halt attacks on infrastructure – media
Following a phone call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin issued a press release stating that Russia agreed to suspend attacks on infrastructure for 30 days.
According to the BBC News Russian, Putin accepted Trump's proposal for both sides to refrain from striking energy infrastructure for 30 days.
However, the news outlet notes that the Kremlin's statement does not provide details on any specific agreements that would pave the way for the 30-day ceasefire, which Ukraine has agreed to.
Bundestag approves amendments to Constitution to unblock military aid to Ukraine
The Bundestag of the 20th convocation, during its last session on Tuesday, approved amendments to the Basic Law that will allow exceeding the previously set borrowing limits.
In the future, defense spending and some security policy expenses exceeding 1% of nominal GDP will be exempt from the debt rule.
As part of this provision, it gives the "green light" to unblock €3 billion for military aid to Ukraine.
Additionally, a special fund of €500 billion will be established for additional infrastructure investments and investments aimed at achieving climate neutrality by 2045. Furthermore, when preparing the budgets of the federal states, local authorities will be given the opportunity for additional borrowing.
Russians concentrating units involved in Kursk operation near Sumy region
"We had previously observed the enemy's military presence along the entire border but did not detect signs of large group formations for offensive operations. However, since the situation on the adjacent Kursk territory has changed, the enemy has concentrated considerable forces there, moving them closer to the state border. Therefore, these accumulated forces are likely what we are now seeing. Our task is to maximize the strengthening of our defense system and continue carrying out combat missions both in the adjacent area (in Kursk region) and along the border," explained Colonel Vadym Mysnyk, Spokesperson for the Siversk Operational Tactical Group of Troops, commenting on the enemy's force buildup.
Ukrainian forces control situation on border between Sumy, Kursk regions – General Staff
Russians attacked an enterprise in Kharkiv region at night
The Russian attack caused a large-scale fire, damaged buildings and premises of a civilian enterprise. A security guard received a shrapnel wound.
War
Russian army’s new psyop units boosting work to target international audiences - NSDC
Russia is expanding the number of psyop units in its armed forces not only to scale up the information war against Ukraine, but also to actively work in Europe, the USA, the Middle East, and Asia. The European NATO allies are now Russia’s main target. Russia is unable to defeat Ukraine in its media space with, so it is focusing on several goals in that of the Western world.
According to the head of the Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council, Andriy Kovalenko, the Russian Federation pursues five goals: segmentation of the European Union, destruction of NATO institutionality, discrediting Ukraine’s subjectivity, weakening power institutions within the United States, and advancing the Russian agenda in the Middle East and Asia to prevent negative trends, including regarding energy prices.
Drone debris falls on school grounds in Kyiv's Desnianskyi district – mayor
Drone debris has fallen on the grounds of a school in Kyiv's Desnianskyi district. The students of the school were in the shelter during the alarm.
Ukraine pulls troops from “disadvantageous positions” in Donetsk region - commander
Russian forces constructing crossings to move west of Oskil River in Kupiansk sector
Ukrainian intelligence forces destroy Russia's Grad, Strela-10 in Zaporizhzhia sector
Russians using more fiber-optic drones on border – SBGS spox
Politics
Beyond Putin's Veto: The Strategic Necessity of Ukraine in NATO
Historically, Ukraine’s strategic importance to Russia cannot be overstated. Upon the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine was second only to Russia itself in economic strength, population, and strategic resources. Ukraine's geographic position on the Black Sea, combined with its 37 million citizens, extensive arable land (one-third of Europe's total), and critical reserves of strategic minerals like uranium, titanium, and lithium, made Ukraine Russia’s most coveted prize. This significance explains Putin's vehement opposition to Ukraine joining NATO over the past 25 years.
Putin’s invasions—first into Georgia in 2008 and then into Ukraine in 2014 and again in 2022—underscore precisely why Ukraine urgently seeks NATO membership. Over the past decade, Ukraine has paid an enormous price, with over 500,000 casualties defending its democracy and sovereignty from Russian aggression. Ukrainian citizens' heroic resilience and sacrifice demand decisive action from NATO.
OSCE declines to comment why Secretary General avoids referring to Russia as aggressor
The press office of the OSCE Secretariat declined to comment on the statement made by Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioğlu, who referred to Russia as a "very important partner within the OSCE."
The request asked the OSCE Secretariat to comment on Sinirlioğlu’s remarks made during a press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on March 11. During the conference, the OSCE Secretary General stated that the Russian Federation is "a very important partner within the OSCE." The request also sought clarification on how this assessment aligns with Russia’s violations of international law and OSCE commitments.
Not another "Orbán" in Austria, new government to support Ukraine – expert
The new federal government of Austria will continue to support Ukraine but will take into account its strict austerity budget when providing humanitarian or financial aid. The emergence of another "Orbán" on the European political map is ruled out in Austria.
Ukrainian, Hungarian foreign ministers agree to meet soon
Poland, Baltic States pulling from anti-personnel landmines convention
Ukraine, seven EU countries file complaint to UN over Russian satellite jamming – media
Crime
Land corruption in Kyiv: bail set for key figures in NABU special operation
"Bail has been posted for the figures in the Clean City operation. For the Kyiv City Council deputy, a bail of 50 million UAH was paid, for the deputy and head of the land commission of the Kyiv City Council, nearly 20 million UAH, for the deputy mayor, 15 million UAH, for the deputy director of the municipal company Kyivblagoustriy, 7 million UAH, and for the first deputy director of the Special Housing Fund, 4.5 million UAH," stated Olesia Chemerys, press secretary for the High Anti-Corruption Court.
In early February, during the Clean City operation, NABU officials announced suspicions against high-ranking Kyiv officials, including: Petro Olenych, Deputy Head of Kyiv City State Administration, Mykhailo Terentiev, Chairman of the Kyiv City Council Land Commission, Olena Marchenko, Member of the Land Commission, Denys Komarnytskyi, former Kyiv City Council deputy, who is considered the organizer of the illegal activities.
Seven people in total were detained during the operation.
It is not a nice thing to be involved in but the people deserve everything coming to them and I hope that they will have to pay it back, how can they do this in the present situation