Newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney discussed Canada’s support for Ukraine in a phone call with President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Presidential Office reported on March 16.

Carney was sworn in as Canada’s prime minister on March 14, replacing former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as head of the governing Liberal Party. Trudeau announced his resignation in January.

The leaders discussed increasing pressure on Moscow, particularly by imposing new sanctions against Russia’s banking sector and its so-called “shadow fleet” of oil tankers. They also spoke about security guarantees for Ukraine, including Canada’s commitment to providing economic support after the war ends.

Carney and Zelensky also discussed defense cooperation and the possibility of joint production of long-range weapons and electronic warfare equipment.

Canada recently participated in the “coalition of the willing” virtual summit convened by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer on March 15. Following the conference, Canada reiterated his support for Ukraine in a post on X.

“Canada supports the proposal for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine,” Carney wrote.

“Now, Russia must stop stalling and launching its attacks. It’s time for Russia to come to the table in good faith."

Carney said his country remains “Ukraine’s steadfast ally” and is committed to lending Kyiv “the military support it needs to defend itself — now and into the future."

Under Trudeau’s leadership, Canada was a strong ally of Ukraine, providing 19.5 billion Canadian dollars ($13.5 billion) in assistance, including 4.5 billion Canadian dollars ($3.1 billion) in military aid.

Prior to the March 15 summit, Canada also signalled its willingness to partake in a potential peacekeeping mission in Ukraine.

Carney, a former central banker, is widely expected to trigger a general election in the coming weeks. Canada is required to hold a general election no later than Oct. 20.

UK proposes Western peacekeeping mission of 10,000 troops in Ukraine

The proposed contingent would include around 10,000 troops, mostly provided by the U.K. and France, U.K. military sources told the Sunday Times. Thirty-five countries would assist with weapons, logistics, and intelligence support.

The Kyiv IndependentLucy Pakhnyuk

Ukraine is ready to negotiate a peace deal with Russia, but remains firm on several key areas, the U.K. news outlet the Independent reported on March 16, citing senior Ukrainian officials.

Kyiv has agreed to accept a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire, provided Russia also abides by its terms. U.S. officials are currently negotiating with Moscow on the details of the proposal.

“We are really willing to make peace, but we need a long-lasting peace, not a short ceasefire,” a high-level Ukrainian source told the Independent, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

“We do not want our children fighting this battle.”

Ukraine has four key terms that must be upheld in order for the full-scale war to end, sources said. These are:

• No further territory ceded to Russia, including territory in the partially-occupied regions of Ukraine
• The return of thousands of Ukrainian children illegally deported to Russia
• The return of thousands of civilians illegally detained by Russia
• International security guarantees in the event Moscow breaks the terms of any future ceasefire

Kyiv is prepared to accept a freeze along the current battle lines, sources told the Independent, but will not surrender any more territory to Russia despite Russian President Vladimir Putin’s goal of fully occupying Ukraine’s Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts.    

“It is not reasonable to demand that, for example, Zaporizhzhia or Kherson be fully handed over — that sounds like a f*** off to us,” an official said.

The White House has insisted that both Russia and Ukraine will have to make compromises in order to end the war, calling Ukraine’s goal of restoring its pre-2014 borders “unrealistic."

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the Ukraine-U.S. talks in Saudi Arabia on March 11 included discussions about potential “territorial concessions” as part of a negotiated settlement with Russia.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on March 12 that Ukraine “will not recognize any occupied territories as Russia’s” as a condition of any peace deal.

“This is the most important red line,” he said.

Putin said on March 13 that Russia is ready to agree to the U.S.-proposed ceasefire in Ukraine,  but only if Kyiv accepts a series of oppressive demands. These include guarantees that Kyiv will not mobilize or train troops or accept any military aid during the truce.

“Putin is playing games. We have made a strong move — now it is his turn,” sources told the Independent.

“We have proved we are reasonable; we are willing to have peace — if Russia doesn’t agree, the whole world will see they are liars."

Kyiv does not need Russia’s permission to invite peacekeeping troops to its territory, French President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview with French regional newspaper Le Parisien on March 15.

“Ukraine is sovereign – if it requests allied forces to be on its territory, it is not up to Russia to accept or reject it,” Macron told Le Parisien.

Macron has been at the forefront of plans to deploy Western peacekeepers on the ground in Ukraine. Along with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Macron has championed the idea as an alternative security guarantee for Kyiv in the event of a ceasefire.

Russia has repeatedly rejected the notion of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.

In the interview, Macron reiterated the importance of supporting Ukraine and confirmed that European forces would be deployed only at Kyiv’s request. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining  pressure on Russia and dialogue with key international allies.

In the coming days, Macron will meet with newly-elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to discuss Ukraine.

Macron’s remarks came shortly before he participated in a virtual summit of the “coalition of the willing,” a group of countries who have pledged to help secure a future peace in Ukraine.

During the summit, participating international leaders expressed their support for Kyiv and discussed plans to send 10,000 peacekeeping troops to Ukraine.

While the  peacekeeping plan is still being finalized by the U.K., France, and other partners, the contingent would likely involve “a few thousand troops” from each country, deployed at “key points” in Ukraine, to conduct training and demonstrate long-term support.

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine confirms withdrawal from Sudzha in Russia’s Kursk Oblast

Key developments on March 15-16: * Ukraine confirms withdrawal from Sudzha in Russia’s Kursk Oblast * Ukraine appoints Andrii Hnatov as new chief of General Staff * Russia readying to attack Sumy as Donbas front stabilizes, Zelensky says * Trump-Putin phone call expected this week, US hopes for…

The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk

Key developments on March 15-16:

• Ukraine confirms withdrawal from Sudzha in Russia’s Kursk Oblast
• Ukraine appoints Andrii Hnatov as new chief of General Staff
• Russia readying to attack Sumy as Donbas front stabilizes, Zelensky says
• Trump-Putin phone call expected this week, US hopes for ceasefire within weeks, envoy says
• UK proposes Western peacekeeping mission of 10,000 troops in Ukraine

Ukraine’s General Staff on March 16 confirmed Ukrainian troops' withdrawal from the logistics hub of Sudzha in Russia’s Kursk Oblast, days after Moscow claimed its capture.

Instead of confirming the withdrawal with a statement, the General Staff posted the latest battlefield maps on social media, which showed a complete retreat from Sudzha.

The confirmation comes as Russian troops scale up their offensive in the Russian border region, where Ukraine launched a surprise incursion in August 2024 in hopes of using the captured territories as a bargaining chip for potential peace negotiations.

Kyiv has held on to its gradually shrinking foothold in Kursk Oblast despite a deteriorating logistics situation caused by Russia’s intense use of artillery, drones, and glide bombs.

As unconfirmed reports of a Ukrainian encirclement circulated online, U.S. President Donald Trump urged his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on March 14 to “spare” allegedly surrounded Ukrainian troops.

Ukraine has denied the claims of encirclement.

The Russian Defense Ministry claimed on March 13 that its troops had captured Sudzha.

The claim came a day after Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi confirmed ongoing battles in the suburbs of Sudzha and the surrounding areas.

“In the most difficult situation, my priority has been and remains to save the lives of Ukrainian soldiers. To do this, the units of (Ukraine’s) Defense Forces, if necessary, are maneuvering to more favorable positions,” Syrskyi said.

Ukraine appoints Andrii Hnatov as new chief of General Staff

Ukraine on March 16 appointed Andrii Hnatov as the new chief of the General Staff, promoting the major general as part of what Kyiv hailed as “a military reform."

Hnatov, who was formerly appointed as the deputy chief of the General Staff in February, will be replacing Anatolii Barhylevych, who took the role in February 2024.

“We are systematically transforming the Armed Forces of Ukraine to enhance their combat effectiveness,” Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said in a Facebook post, applauding a promotion that he said came at his recommendation.

Hnatov has over 27 years of experience in the military. He previously commanded a marine brigade, Operational Command East formation, and the Joint Forces of Ukraine’s Armed Forces.

Umerov added that Ukraine appointed Lieutenant General Barhylevych as the Defense Ministry’s chief inspector. His role is to oversee military standards and boost discipline in the Armed Forces, according to the minister.

More than three years into the full-scale war, Ukraine is slowly withdrawing on multiple fronts amid a critical manpower shortage. Kyiv is trying to modernize the army in an attempt to solve long-standing issues, such as command culture and resource management.

“Transformation continues,” Umerov wrote in the same Facebook post.

‘Painful for Russia:’ What new U.S. sanctions on Russian energy mean for Moscow

The Trump administration dealt a blow to Russia’s energy sector last week after it let lapse an exemption allowing Russian banks to use U.S. payment systems for energy transactions. The move closed an important financial channel for Russian oil and gas exports and comes as Washington looks for ways

The Kyiv IndependentYana Prots

Russia readying to attack Sumy as Donbas front stabilizes, Zelensky says

Russian soldiers are amassing at the border to prepare to launch an attack on Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on March 15.

Zelensky said in a post on Telegram that Ukraine has observed areas along its eastern border where the Russian army is amassing force. “This speaks to a desire to deliver a strike to our Sumy Oblast,” Zelensky wrote. “We understand this and will take countermeasures."

The Ukrainian president also wrote that he hopes foreign leaders would note “that in Moscow they are preparing to ignore diplomacy."

U.S. diplomats were in Moscow this week to hash out a ceasefire deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who remains maximalist in his public demands for concessions from Ukraine. After talks in Saudi Arabia between the U.S. and Ukraine, Kyiv said it was ready to move forward with a ceasefire, provided Russia did the same.

Zelensky also wrote that “the situation on the Pokrovsk front has stabilized” after several months during which the city in Donetsk Oblast had been at the center of fighting and periodic threats of Russian encirclement.

“Thanks to our Ukrainian forces, a significant quantity of Russian forces were pulled away from other fronts to Kursk Oblast,” Zelensky wrote.

Trump-Putin phone call expected this week, US hopes for ceasefire within weeks, envoy says

U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to hold a phone call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin this week, Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, said on March 16.

“I expect that there will be a call with both presidents this week, and we’re also continuing to engage and have a conversation with the Ukrainians,” Witkoff told CNN after meeting Putin in Moscow on March 13.

Witkoff also said that the U.S. hopes to “see a ceasefire within weeks,” as cited by Axios.

The expected phone call comes as Trump tries to end the war at any cost. European allies and Ukraine have warned that a rushed peace deal without adequate security guarantees won’t result in lasting peace.

Witkoff said the talks with Putin lasted a few hours and went well. He added that he expected the phone call between the two presidents to be “really good and positive."

“We’re bridging the gap between two sides,” he said.

“The four regions are of critical importance here,” Witkoff said, referring to Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, which are partially occupied by Russian troops.

Witkoff also said that the U.S. is holding discussions with Ukraine, Russia, and European allies, including France, the U.K., Finland,  and Norway.

He claimed that Putin accepts “Trump’s philosophy” on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, Axios reported.

“The two sides are a lot closer today than they were a few weeks ago. We narrowed the differences,” Witkoff said.

Kyiv agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the U.S. during talks in Jeddah on March 11, after which Washington resumed military and intelligence support for Ukraine.

Russia is ready to agree to the U.S.-proposed ceasefire in Ukraine but demands guarantees that Kyiv will not mobilize or train troops or receive military aid during the truce, Putin said on March 13.

Meanwhile, U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said on March 16 that Ukraine was expected to exchange territories for security guarantees.

“This is going to be some type of territory for future security guarantees, the future status of – of Ukraine,” Waltz said on ABC News.

He also said that “a permanent pathway into NATO, or a permanent membership into NATO for Ukraine is incredibly unlikely."

Trump denies reports on his envoy waiting for Putin, calls media ‘sick degenerates’

“The fake news, as usual, is at it again!” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “Why can’t they be honest, just for once?”

The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk

UK proposes Western peacekeeping mission of 10,000 troops in Ukraine

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer presented plans to send 10,000 peacekeeping troops to Ukraine at a high-level virtual summit in London on March 15.

The summit, which included 29 international leaders, was organized by the U.K. with the purpose of creating a “coalition of the willing” that could secure Ukraine in the event of a peace deal with Russia.

Starmer’s proposed peacekeeping contingent would include around 10,000 troops, mostly provided by the U.K. and France, U.K. military sources told the Sunday Times. Thirty-five countries have agreed to supply the peacekeeping mission with weapons, logistics, and intelligence support.

The peacekeeping mission will be “a significant force with a significant number of countries providing troops and a much larger group contributing in other ways,”  a senior government source said.

In addition to European nations, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand joined the call, as did NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

The proposed force of 10,000 is significantly smaller than the 30,000 troops Starmer reportedly pitched to U.S. President Donald Trump during their White House meeting on Feb. 20.

Previously, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that European partners would need to station 100,000 to 150,000 troops on Ukraine’s front lines to effectively deter Russia.

U.K. defense sources told the Guardian on Feb. 18 that a much smaller European-led peacekeeping forcec ould instead rely on intelligence, surveillance, and long-range monitoring to enforce a ceasefire.

Following the virtual summit, Starmer announced that “troops on the ground and planes in the sky” would provide security guarantees for Ukraine following a future peace deal.

The allied coalition will hold a second round of military talks on March 20, Starmer said.

While France and the U.K. have been the most vocal about sending troops to Ukraine, some countries, including Italy and Finland, have expressed reservations. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attended the summit and vocalized support for Ukraine, but said that Italy does not plan to participate in the proposed peacekeeping force.

‘Conditions for Ukraine’s surrender’ — Why Putin’s demands for ceasefire make no sense

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s conditions for a ceasefire are unrealistic and tantamount to demanding that Ukraine disarm itself and surrender, analysts say. Putin said on March 13 that Russia was ready to agree to the U.S.-backed 30-day-long ceasefire in Ukraine but then followed by listing a…

The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov

In a technological leap, Ukraine has unveiled its first batch of fully localized FPV drones, significantly curbing its reliance on Chinese components. As reported by the outlet Militarni, the company Vyriy Drone has delivered one thousand drones made entirely from Ukrainian parts to its military forces. This breakthrough not only frees Ukraine from dependency on China, which has imposed restrictions on the export of dual-use technologies, but also strengthens its autonomy in the unmanned aviation sector.

The FPV drones, equipped with thermal imaging capabilities, have been handed over to Ukraine's military.

Every element of their sophisticated electronics, from cameras to control systems, is a product of Ukrainian innovation, thanks to corporations like D1 and Odd Systems. This achievement aligns with heightened export controls from China, a nation fostering strategic ties with Russia.

Vyriy Drone's determination to achieve total localization grew from within, rather than from contractual obligations. Over two years, the company pursued the complex task of phasing out foreign materials, ensuring that future production of their drones is fully Ukrainian.

Localizing component production did not increase costs — on the contrary, it allowed for a reduction in price per unit, aligning them with the cost of drones using Chinese supplies, approximately 30,000 hryvnias each. Deputy Defense Minister Valeriy Churkin announced upcoming tax incentives aimed at fostering high-tech manufacturing within Ukraine, signaling a robust support system for domestic drone production.

As Ukraine continues to increase its drone production, it eyes a higher echelon in the global tech stage. In 2024 alone, the Armed Forces of Ukraine expect to exceed the production capabilities of global powerhouses like the United States and Russia, with a projection exceeding 2 million UAVs. With the complete phasing out of Chinese components, Ukraine is positioned towards stable, sovereign drone manufacturing — a formidable step in its visionary trajectory.

Ukrainian drones have become a substantial threat to Russian military operations. A notable strike had previously disabled the Novocherkassk oil pumping station in Russia's Krasnodar region, reinforcing the formidable presence of Ukrainian-made drones in the conflict theater.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer presented plans to send 10,000 peacekeeping troops to Ukraine at a high-level virtual summit in London on March 15.

The summit, which included 29 international leaders, was organized by the U.K. with the purpose of creating a “coalition of the willing” that could secure Ukraine in the event of a peace deal with Russia.

Starmer’s proposed peacekeeping contingent would include around 10,000 troops, mostly provided by the U.K. and France, U.K. military sources told the Sunday Times. Thirty-five countries have agreed to supply the peacekeeping mission with weapons, logistics, and intelligence support.

The peacekeeping mission will be “a significant force with a significant number of countries providing troops and a much larger group contributing in other ways,”  a senior government source said.

In addition to European nations, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand joined the call, as did NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

The proposed force of 10,000 is significantly smaller than the 30,000 troops Starmer reportedly pitched to U.S. President Donald Trump during their White House meeting on Feb. 20.

Previously, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that European partners would need to station 100,000 to 150,000 troops on Ukraine’s front lines to effectively deter Russia.

U.K. defense sources told the Guardian on Feb. 18 that a much smaller European-led peacekeeping force could instead rely on intelligence, surveillance, and long-range monitoring to enforce a ceasefire.

Following the virtual summit, Starmer announced that “troops on the ground and planes in the sky” would provide security guarantees for Ukraine following a future peace deal.

The allied coalition will hold a second round of military talks on March 20, Starmer said.

While France and the U.K. have been the most vocal about sending troops to Ukraine, some countries, including Italy and Finland, have expressed reservations. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attended the summit and vocalized support for Ukraine, but said that Italy does not plan to participate in the proposed peacekeeping force.

The summit followed an eventful week of diplomacy, as Kyiv agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the U.S. on March 11. While the the Kremlin said it was ready to agree to the U.S.-backed ceasefire, it demanded that Kyiv limit military mobilization and training in addition to  the West halting military aid to Ukraine.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are expected to hold a call this week to discuss the terms of the ceasefire, Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said on March 16.  

Serhii Shalaiev, the man detained and charged with the killing of Ukrainian activist Demyan Hanul, pled guilty to the murder in a closed court hearing on March 16, according to regional prosecutor Ruslan Veremchuk.

Hanul, 31, was shot dead in central Odesa on March 14. Hanul was well-known for his public activism, including his participation in Ukraine’s EuroMaidan Revolution and the May 2 clashes against pro-Russian forces in Odesa.

The suspect, 46-year-old Serhii Shalaiev, pleaded guilty to Hanul’s murder in a closed court session, the news outlet Suspilne reported, citing Veremchuk. Shalaiev was detained hours after the shooting and identified as a deserter by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

Prosecutors charged Shalaiev with premeditated murder committed under order and illegal handling of weapons.

Veremchuk, deputy head of the Odesa Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Defense of the Southern Region, said the hearing was held in a closed session to protect the identities of testifying witnesses. He also said investigators are still working to determine who else may have been involved in Hanul’s murder.

“The perpetrator of this crime has been detained,” Veremchuk said.

“One of the versions of the investigation is that it was a contract killing. Measures are being taken to identify the customer and other accomplices in the crime."

Shalaiev has been wanted for military desertion since February 23, according to the SBU. He reportedly served as commander of a platoon in the 28th separate mechanized brigade.

The court has imposed a pre-trial detention order on Shalaiev, who will be held in custody for 60 days without possibility of bail.

Andrii Nebytov, deputy head of the National Police, previously said during a television broadcast on March 15 that investigators were considering three possible versions of the crime: a contract killing linked to Hanul’s political activism, a crime of personal animosty, and an assassination linked to Russia.

Hanul was a public figure and blogger who founded the Street Front NGO. He was active in rallies supporting Ukraine, charity fundraisers for the military, and campaigns to dismantle the city’s Soviet and imperial monuments.

The activist had previously reported threats against his life. In July 2024, Hanul claimed Russian sources had leaked personal information about his relatives and that a $10,000 bounty was offered for an attack on him.

In reaction to the murder, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that dozens of law enforcement officials are involved in the investigation.

“I have instructed the interior minister, the head of the Security Service, the acting prosecutor general to throw all the necessary forces and means to establish all the facts,” Zelensky said.

‘Everyone is really shocked and upset’ — Trump administration puts Voice of America journalists on leave, cuts funding to Radio Free Europe

The Trump administration on March 15 followed up a on an executive order signed a day earlier by President Donald Trump vowing to gut funding for the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). As a

The Kyiv IndependentDmytro Basmat

In a blunt assessment, Finnish President Alexander Stubb laid bare the situation: Kyiv seeks peace and a ceasefire, but Moscow does not. Russia is playing the long game in Ukraine, with no desire for a ceasefire or peace, said Stubb following a "coalition of the willing" conference organized by the UK.

"Putin is not striving for a truce, a ceasefire, or peace. His primary goal—destroying Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity—remains unchanged. Hopefully, we can continue Western pressure to force Russia into a ceasefire," said Stubb. He's highlighted the formation of a coalition of countries eager to support Ukraine, involving around 30 like-minded nations from Europe and beyond. The UK and France, he says, are taking the lead, with all parties clearly seeing: Kyiv wants peace and a ceasefire, Moscow does not.

Following talks in Saudi Arabia, Ukraine expressed readiness for a 30-day frontline ceasefire. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated, "the ball is now in Russia's court".

Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged Russia supports a ceasefire in Ukraine but noted there are nuances. He emphasized Ukraine should cease mobilization and military preparation and stop receiving weapons from allies.

According to Washington Post, classified U.S. intelligence reports as of early March cast doubt on Putin's willingness to end the war against Ukraine.

Ukraine on March 16 appointed Andrii Hnatov as the new chief of the General Staff, promoting the major general as part of what Kyiv hailed as “a military reform.”

Hnatov, who was formerly appointed as the deputy chief of the General Staff in February, will be replacing Anatolii Barhylevych, who took the role in February 2024.

“We are systematically transforming the Armed Forces of Ukraine to enhance their combat effectiveness,” Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said in a Facebook post, applauding a promotion that he said came at his recommendation.

Hnatov has over 27 years of experience in the military. He previously commanded a marine brigade, Operational Command East formation, and the Joint Forces of Ukraine’s Armed Forces.

Umerov added that Ukraine appointed Lieutenant General Barhylevych as the Defense Ministry’s chief inspector. His role is to oversee military standards and boost discipline in the Armed Forces, according to the minister.

More than three years into the full-scale war, Ukraine is slowly withdrawing on multiple fronts amid a critical manpower shortage. Kyiv is trying to modernize the army in an attempt to solve long-standing issues, such as command culture and resource management.  

Drawing on the experience of NATO partners, Ukraine is currently trying to implement a corps system instead of a brigade one, in an effort to improve cohesion.

“Transformation continues,” Umerov wrote in the same Facebook post.

Ukraine confirms withdrawal from Sudzha in Russia’s Kursk Oblast

Without confirming the withdrawal with a statement, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces posted the latest battlefield maps on social media, which showed a complete retreat from Sudzha.

The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk

France’s President Emmanuel Macron has made clear that Russia should have no say over the deployment of European troops in Ukraine, should Kyiv request their presence. In an interview with Le Parisien, Macron emphasized Ukraine's sovereignty, indicating that decisions regarding allied troop deployment are solely Ukraine’s prerogative.

Macron highlighted a growing alignment between Ukraine and the United States during talks in Saudi Arabia culminating in a mutual agreement on a 30-day ceasefire. "Russia’s refusal to accept the ceasefire proposal, accompanied by implied threats, reflects its insincerity in fulfilling peace commitments and a lack of genuine interest in peacebuilding," Macron remarked.

Macron pointed out that the Franco-British plan to station foreign troops in Ukraine is nearing completion, having already garnered interest from multiple countries. Furthermore, he mentioned the potential for Ukraine to receive additional Mirage fighter jets, possibly supplied by third-party countries operating them.

In separate reports, Politico has indicated that the European Union is considering a new military assistance package for Ukraine, amounting to at least six billion euros, aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s strategic position ahead of negotiations with Russia. Plans for an EU military contingent for Ukraine are also reportedly underway.

In its latest operational update for March 16, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine released a battle map depicting ongoing military activities in Russia’s Kursk region, indicating a full withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Sudzha. During the last 24 hours, 19 clashes were reported in the Kursk direction.

Russian forces continue to employ aircraft and artillery strikes against the positions of Ukrainian Forces on the Kursk front.

"Over the past day in Kursk, there were 19 skirmishes, with the enemy performing 34 airstrikes, dropping 63 guided bombs, and conducting 243 artillery attacks, including five from multiple rocket launcher systems," stated the General Staff.

Data from the monitoring source DeepState shows that between March 15 and 16, the controlled area by Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kursk region shrank. The Russians regained control of Honcharivka, Zaolishenka, and Rubanshchyna west of Sudzha and continue advancing north on the N-07 Sumy-Sudzha route.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denied reports about a potential encirclement of Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region. He stated that the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, assured him that Ukrainian units continue to execute their objectives on Russian territory.

The President also highlighted that Ukrainian Army actions have drawn significant Russian forces away from other directions.

"Owing to Ukrainian forces in Kursk, considerable Russian forces have been redirected from other sectors. Our troops continue to contain respective Russian and North Korean groups in Kursk. There is no encirclement of our forces," wrote Zelensky on social media.

Analysts from DeepState reported that Russian Armed Forces have complete control over the district center of Sudzha. According to DeepState, Ukrainian foothold in Russian territory has reduced to 140 square kilometers.

Ukraine’s Air Force reported on March 16 that it had shot down 47 Russian Shahed and other drones across the country overnight.

Russian troops attacked Ukraine with 90 drones, targeting Kyiv, Kharkiv, Poltava, Sumy, Cherkasy, Zhytomyr, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, and Odesa oblasts, according to the Air Force’s report.

The Air Force added that it had lost track of 33 Russian decoy drones but said that they had caused no damage.

Russia’s aerial attack against Ukraine comes as the U.S. is negotiating with Russia on a potential 30-day ceasefire, which Kyiv agreed to earlier in March. Russian drone attacks have targeted Ukraine every day.

Since the start of the full-scale war, Russia has regularly launched drone and missile attacks on Ukraine, including cities far from the front line. The attacks have often targeted civilian sites and critical infrastructure.

‘Everyone is really shocked and upset’ — Trump administration puts Voice of America journalists on leave, cuts funding to Radio Free Europe

The Trump administration on March 15 followed up a on an executive order signed a day earlier by President Donald Trump vowing to gut funding for the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees Voice of America (VOA) and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). As a

The Kyiv IndependentDmytro Basmat

Ukraine is believed to have launched its long-range "Neptune" missile against a critical oil pumping station in Russia’s Bryansk region. The oil refinery in Tuapse might not be the sole victim of Ukraine's upgraded "Neptune" missile. Earlier this week, the missile reportedly struck the Aksinino station in Bryansk, according to Russian news outlet ASTRA, which cites informed sources. This information still requires confirmation.

According to sources, the strike occurred on the evening of Monday, March 10. Russian authorities and official media have maintained silence regarding this incident. "The Ukrainian long-range 'Neptune' missile attacked the Aksinino oil pumping station," ASTRA reported.

The extent of the damage to Russia's energy facility remains unknown. Aksinino, located in the Karachevsky district of Bryansk, is part of the Transneft-Druzhba main oil pipeline, through which Russian oil is transported to Europe. The facility is situated approximately 100 km from Ukraine’s northern borders.

On March 14, during the night, another strike targeted the Russian refinery in Tuapse.

The facility still burns, with efforts to extinguish the fire ongoing. A video of the attack suggests the facility was struck by something with a rocket engine, rather than a UAV.

Experts speculate that this could be the so-called "Long Neptune"—a modernized version of the maritime missile boasting a range of up to 1000 km.

Ukrainian  journalist Yuriy Butusov refutes claims of Ukrainian forces being encircled in the Kursk region. Despite suffering losses, the Defense Forces of Ukraine are conducting an organized, tactical withdrawal from the area, Butusov reports in his blog.

Butusov assures that Ukrainian troops are gradually retreating back to Ukrainian territory while engaging in combat. He notes that the Russian military is also taking heavy casualties by deploying frontal assault tactics.

According to Butusov, Russian forces are attempting to breach the Ukrainian defense on the flanks to encircle retreating Ukrainian units. Ukrainian soldiers have successfully repelled all these attacks. "The enemy crossed into Ukrainian territory in two areas with small infantry groups aiming to flank our positions. However, their advance has been halted at the border," reports the journalist.

Furthermore, Butusov states that there are currently no signs of a Russian offensive on Sumy. It appears more probable that the Russians will try to capture control over the border region of Sumy.

In a recent statement, Yuri Ushakov, an aide to the Russian president, hinted that a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump could be organized on short notice. "We are preparing for the meeting, and it will be arranged as soon as there's a necessity," TASS quoted him as saying.

Ushakov noted that discussions are ongoing and emphasized that the logistics for such a meeting could be swiftly managed.

Additionally, Ushakov expressed Russia's concern that "any ceasefire could provide time for Ukrainian forces to rearm," stressing that Russia has conveyed this standpoint to the U.S.

Previously, sources from the Russian news outlet The Moscow Times suggested that a Trump-Putin summit might occur in April or May, likely in the Middle East.

On March 13, Moscow was visited by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff.

Following this visit, President Putin declared Russia's support for a ceasefire in Ukraine but insisted that it must "lead to lasting peace and address the root cause of the crisis."

The Kremlin chief also stipulated conditions for a potential 30-day truce: Ukraine must refrain from mobilization, military training, and receiving weapons from its allies.

U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to hold a phone call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin this week, Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, said on March 16.

“I expect that there will be a call with both presidents this week, and we’re also continuing to engage and have a conversation with the Ukrainians,” Witkoff told CNN after meeting Putin in Moscow on March 13, as cited by Reuters.

Witkoff has said the talks with Putin went well, and that he believes he expected the phone call between the two presidents to be “really good and positive.”

“We’re bridging the gap between two sides” he said.

“The four regions are of critical importance here,” Witkoff said, referring to Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, which are partially or occupied by Russian troops.

Witkoff also said that the U.S. is holding discussions with Ukraine, Russia, and European allies, including France, the U.K., Finland,  and Norway.

In an update on the ongoing conflict, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrskyi, announced that Russian military casualties in the war with Ukraine have surpassed 100,000 since the beginning of the year.

"Thanks to the coordinated and professional efforts of our defenders, the total losses of the occupiers in manpower have exceeded 100,000 since the start of this year. I thank the Ukrainian warriors for their professional combat work and resilience," said Syrskyi in a Telegram post.

Back in September, the Wall Street Journal, citing anonymous Western intelligence officials, reported that Russia had lost nearly 200,000 troops killed and approximately 400,000 wounded by that point.

Meanwhile, according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as of March 16, 2025, the Russian military has suffered around 894,240 casualties (wounded and killed) in the conflict with Ukraine.

In February, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky disclosed that Ukraine has lost over 46,000 soldiers killed and another 380,000 defenders have sustained injuries during the full-scale war.

The Kyiv Independent’s Anna Belokur covers the top stories impacting Ukraine this week. First in everyone’s concerns is the ongoing ceasefire negotiations and the latest developments in Ukraine’s Kursk operation.

Does a viral image authentically show European leaders taking off their suits in support of Ukraine during a group picture? No, that's not true: The image is likely a screenshot from a video that was digitally edited, possibly using AI. Actual footage of the moment the group picture was taken did not show anyone taking off their suit and no news outlets reported about it happening at the time.

A viral example of the screenshot can be seen in this post on Bluesky (archived here) published on March 15, 2025 with a comment that read:

European leaders taking off their jackets in a united show of support for President Zelensky.

This is what the image looked like:

(Image: screenshot taken by Lead Stories on March 16, 2025 at 12:59:11 UTC)

The caption text on the image read: "European Leaders took off their suits to support Ukraine!!"

The bottom right corner of the image showed a volume control button and a partial watermark from digital video editing app InShot:

(Image: screenshot detail taken by Lead Stories on March 16, 2025 at 13:02:05 UTC)

The events seemingly depicted in the image took place on March 2, 2025 at Lancaster House in the U.K. according to video coverage by Sky News (archived here):

Political leaders have gathered in the lower hall of Lancaster House for a "family photo" as they discuss Europe's defence and security.

The group of leaders joined by Sir Keir Starmer, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as well as NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, stood for a photograph at the bottom of a grand staircase in front of a spread of national flags.

The relevant moments in the video do not show anyone removing their jacket:

Several key details in the video also don't match with the viral image, such as the colors of some ties and items of clothing.

Lead Stories reviewed news stories about the Lancaster House meeting published at the time it took place by reviewing search results in Google News (archived here) and found no mention of European leaders removing their suit jackets in the group photo, something which would have been newsworthy if it had happened in front of the cameras.

The video resembles clips recently uploaded to TikTok that show various world leaders taking off their suit jackets in support of Ukraine. Here's one such example (archived here):

@dorinamacarova

♬ оригинальный звук - Dorina Macarova🇲🇩🇺🇦🇹🇩

In that video you can spot the use of AI with the naked eye as there are several glitches with the hands and arms of the people in the video and at one point somebody takes off their jacket only to reveal an identical one underneath it.

The U.S. launched airstrikes against the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen on March 15 as President Donald Trump ordered “decisive” military action against the group.

Trump also said that the U.S. would hold Iran “fully accountable” if it didn’t end support for the Houthi rebels “immediately."

The U.S. attack against the Houthi rebels and the threat to Iran come as Moscow continues to expand its partnership with Tehran. Iran has provided Russia with thousands of Shahed drones used in attacks against Ukrainian cities, as well as short-range ballistic missiles.

The strikes on the Houthis also come amid increasing tensions between their main backer, Iran, and Israel, which is supported by the U.S., including a controversy over Tehran’s nuclear weapons program.

“Today, I have ordered the United States Military to launch decisive and powerful military action against the Houthi terrorists in Yemen,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social, claiming that his predecessor Joe Biden’s approach was “pathetically weak.”

“They have waged an unrelenting campaign of piracy, violence, and terrorism against American, and other, ships, aircraft, and drones."

Trump said the U.S. would deploy “overwhelming lethal force” against the rebels “until we have achieved our objective."

CNN reported, citing the Houthi-run health ministry, that at least 31 people had been killed and 101 injured in Yemen by the U.S. strikes, and that most of the casualties were women and children. The Kyiv Independent could not verify this information.

Despite worsening relations between the U.S. and Iran, Trump’s team is trying to resume the long-frozen diplomatic relations with one of Tehran’s backers, Russia.

On March 13, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff paid a visit to Moscow for talks on the 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine had accepted after a U.S.-Ukrainian meeting in Saudi Arabia on March 11.

‘Conditions for Ukraine’s surrender’ — Why Putin’s demands for ceasefire make no sense

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s conditions for a ceasefire are unrealistic and tantamount to demanding that Ukraine disarm itself and surrender, analysts say. Putin said on March 13 that Russia was ready to agree to the U.S.-backed 30-day-long ceasefire in Ukraine but then followed by listing a…

The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov