Drone Attacks in Ukraine Amidst Tricky Diplomacy
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The Highlights
Ongoing Assaults by Ukraine and Russia Amidst Modest Truce Proposal
Overnight, Russia waged a series of drone assaults against Ukraine, striking a hospital and critical energy infrastructure - a claim made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a statement yesterday. These attacks followed an alleged agreement by Russian President Vladimir Putin for a 30-day ceasefire on energy targets and infrastructure in a phone conversation with President Donald Trump the day before.
The Particulars
Zelenskyy contended that 150 drones were deployed during the attacks, many of which targeted energy facilities. Russian Defense Ministry stated otherwise, claiming that Kyiv initiated an attack on an energy facility near the Crimean Peninsula, while employing drones to target oil transfer equipment, as reported by the Associated Press.
The escalation came soon after both the White House and Kremlin indicated Putin's consent to a 30-day ceasefire in his call with Trump. Zelenskyy, who had agreed earlier this month to a 30-day ceasefire during talks with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia, expressed caution about Putin's commitment to the deal in a press conference later on the day. However, he also acknowledged a "partial ceasefire" as a positive outcome.
According to the Kremlin, Putin insisted on several conditions for preventing further conflict escalation, including the resumption of the U.S.'s military aid pause and the sharing of intelligence data with Ukraine. Trump later disputed in an interview with Fox News that this topic was discussed.
The agreement would facilitate the exchange of 175 prisoners from each side on March 19, with Russia returning 23 severely wounded Ukrainian soldiers to Kyiv, as per the Kremlin.
Trump's Take
Over on the Truth Social platform, Trump positioned the conversation as "a very good and productive one." He repeated his belief that "this War would have never started if I were President!" Additionally, he asserted that "many elements of a Contract for Peace were discussed" and the process for a lasting end to the war is now "in full force and effect."
Tangential Notes
Negotiations for a full ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine were to kick off "immediately" in the Middle East, as suggested by the White House. There was a potential for a phased-in approach that envisioned a "maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea." Trump and Putin also emphasized the importance of improving the relationship between the United States and Russia, which could pave the way for significant economic deals and geopolitical stability, according to the White House summary.
The Unknowns
It remains unclear whether Trump and Putin touched on the topic of land and power plants seized during the conflict, a critical factor in reaching a permanent resolution. Trump mentioned in a press conference on Sunday his intention to discuss "dividing up certain assets," including land and power plants, with Putin, expressing optimism that "we can bring that war to an end."
Background Info
Trump and Putin spoke for over two hours on Tuesday - their second call of Trump's second term - as the White House strives to forge a ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine. This call was initiated after Ukraine consented to a ceasefire earlier this month during discussions with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia.
Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy, conversed with Putin in Moscow last week, and informed CNN on Sunday that they are "bridging the gap between" Ukraine and Russia. Putin himself proposed during the previous week that some concessions needed to be made before he would agree to a ceasefire, including addressing the root causes of the conflict, such as the annexation of the Crimea and Ukraine's goals to join NATO, as well as voicing concerns over intensified violence in Russia's Kursk region, which was occupied by Ukrainian forces last year[2][3][4].
- Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, of using 150 drones in a series of overnight attacks on Ukraine, targeting a hospital and critical energy infrastructure, despite a supposed 30-day Ceasefire agreement on energy targets and infrastructure discussed between Putin and President Donald Trump the day prior.
- According to the Associated Press, Russian Defense Ministry claimed that Kyiv initiated an attack on an energy facility near the Crimean Peninsula, while employing drones against oil transfer equipment, contradicting Zelenskyy's claim.
- In a LinkedIn post, President Donald Trump expressed optimism about the "very good and productive" conversation with Putin regarding a possible end to the Russia-Ukraine war, and asserted that "many elements of a Contract for Peace were discussed."
