Newsletter 25/03/2025
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
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U.S. to help Russia restore access to global grain and fertilizer markets – White House
The United States has pledged to help Russia regain access to the global market for agricultural products and fertilizers.
The White House said this in a statement following talks between U.S. and Russian delegations in Saudi Arabia on March 24.
The rest of the statement largely mirrors the one issued after U.S.-Ukraine negotiations on March 25, which concerned ensuring safe navigation in the Black Se, a ban on strikes against energy infrastructure in Russia and Ukraine, and President Donald Trump's imperative that "the killing on both sides of the Russia-Ukraine conflict must stop."
Kremlin sets conditions for ceasefire in Black Sea
Russia confirmed the terms previously published by the White House after the talks in Riyadh, but added that the provision on safe navigation would only be enforced if certain sanctions on Russia are lifted.
Russia outlined four key conditions, among them lifting sanctions on Rosselkhozbank (RSHB) and other financial institutions involved in food and fertilizer trade, reconnecting them to the SWIFT system, and reopening correspondent banking accounts; removing sanctions on Russian food and fertilizer producers and exporters; lifting restrictions on port services for ships engaged in food and fertilizer exports and removing sanctions on Russian-flagged vessels; and eliminating trade barriers on agricultural equipment and other goods essential for food and fertilizer production in Russia.
US, Ukraine agree on safe navigation in Black Sea
The United States and Ukraine have agreed to ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea.
The United States and Ukraine also agreed to develop measures for implementing U.S. President Donald Trump's and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's agreement to ban strikes against energy facilities of Russia and Ukraine.
Furthermore, the statement highlights that "the United States and Ukraine agreed that the United States remains committed to helping achieve the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilian detainees, and the return of forcibly transferred Ukrainian children."
Both nations also welcomed the good offices of third countries with a view toward supporting the implementation of the energy and maritime agreements.
Umerov outlines five key outcomes of Ukraine-U.S. talks in Riyadh
First, all parties agreed to ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea.
"The Ukrainian side emphasizes that all movement by Russia of its military vessels outside of the eastern part of the Black Sea will constitute a violation of the spirit of this agreement, will be regarded as a violation of the commitment to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea and threat to the national security of Ukraine. In this case, Ukraine will have the full right to exercise its right to self-defense," Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said.
Additionally, all parties agreed to develop measures for implementing the Presidents' agreement to ban strikes against energy facilities of Ukraine and Russia.
Third, all parties welcome the good offices of third countries with a view toward supporting the implementation of the energy and maritime agreements.
Fourth, all parties will continue working towards achieving a durable and lasting peace.
Fifth, with Ukraine, the U.S. reiterated its support to help achieve the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilian detainees, and the return of forcibly transferred Ukrainian children.
Riyadh talks: Zelensky highlights differences between Ukraine's, Russia's positions
Following meetings in Riyadh, the fifth point in the Ukraine-U.S. statement will focus on the return of children, prisoners of war, and civilian detainees, whereas in the Russian statement, it will pertain to port operations and the transportation of agricultural products.
Zelensky clarified that the fifth point of the statements differs between the Ukrainian-American and Russian-American versions. In Ukraine's statement, it addresses U.S. assistance in returning children, military personnel, and civilian detainees, while Russia's version focuses on economic issues.
"This was not part of our agenda before the meeting. The Russians raised the issue, as far as we know, of U.S. assistance in transporting their agricultural products, including discussions on ports, tariffs, etc. We refused to include this in our joint document, as we consider it a weakening of positions and sanctions," Zelensky said.
US proposes new major agreement on critical minerals – Zelensky
"Yesterday, my team briefed me on the new agreement. What does it look like now? This is a full-scale agreement as envisioned by the American side. That's how they see this. They have moved past previous steps, such as the framework agreement, which you may recall was supposed to be followed by a more detailed agreement. Now, the U.S. has proposed a major agreement right away," Zelensky said.
Ukrainian Air Force strikes enemy troop concentration in Kursk region
The Ukrainian Air Force successfully struck a Russian troop concentration area in Kondratyevka, Kursk region, completely destroying the target and eliminating up to 30 enemy soldiers.
Russia reports 'attack' on gas condensate field in Crimea
The Russian Defense Ministry claims that Ukrainian drones allegedly attempted to attack the Glebovskoye gas condensate field near Cape Tarkhankut in occupied Crimea on the evening of March 23.
Zelensky concerned about Russian disinformation influencing Trump's circle – Time
During the unsuccessful February 28 talks between the Ukrainian and U.S. presidents at the White House, Volodymyr Zelensky was most troubled by the influence of Russian disinformation on Donald Trump's administration.
Draft deal on minerals has no ZNPP mention yet - advisor
Despite the desire of the American side to expand the agreement on establishing the rules and conditions of the investment fund, better known as the minerals deal, for now its draft remains in the form in which it was approved by government on February 26.
War
Zelensky says battlefield situation 'tough and challenging, but not bad'
"It's hard to say right now [what exactly we need to work on]. I believe we are in good shape at the moment. Even though the situation is generally tough and challenging, I think our frontline is in relatively good condition. Of course, things could be better -- there are challenges and shortages," Zelensky said.
He also added that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are the guarantor of the country's security and independence.
"But overall, we've made some progress. We've managed to secure ammunition and aid -- some supply chains have been unblocked. New drones are appearing. I believe we are in a fairly good position. And that's crucial in negotiations -- to stand firm," he added.
Injury toll from Russian missile strike on Sumy rises to 99
The Russian missile strike in Sumy on March 24 has left 99 people injured, including 76 adults and 23 children.
Efforts to eliminate the aftermath of the attack are ongoing, with two headquarters operating in the city. Three locations have been set up where rescuers, police, utility workers, and volunteers from NGOs are working. At these locations, the owners of damaged properties are being provided with the necessary materials for emergency repairs, such as OSB boards and assistance with securing broken windows.
Ukrainian forces down 78 Russian drones, 34 go off radar
War update: 165 clashes on font lines in past 24 hours, most attacks in Pokrovsk sector
Ukrainian border guards destroy Russian drone control center in Kharkiv region
SBGS drones destroy Russian armored vehicles hidden in Serebriansky forest
Drone debris hits company in Poltava region, injuring two
Russian military attacked cyclist with drone in Kherson - he was wounded
Politics
U.S. senators urge Trump administration to use frozen Russian assets to pressure Moscow
A group of Republican and Democratic U.S. senators is pushing President Donald Trump's administration to transfer - and push allies to transfer - more than $300 billion of seized Russian assets to help Ukraine, not just use the debt's interest to support Kyiv.
Russia wants to see UN in ceasefire talks due to existing leverage over it - advisor
Macron to meet Zelensky at Elysee Palace on Wednesday