Mapped: US considers recognising Crimea as Russian
Tom Watling18 March 2025 08:20
Putin will demand suspension of all weapons deliveries to Ukraine in Trump calls, Bloomberg reports
Vladimir Putin will demand a suspension of all weapons deliveries to Ukraine during a phone call with Donald Trump this afternoon, Bloomberg is reporting.
The US news site quotes people with knowledge of the Kremlin’s thinking saying that Putin will push Trump to halt all weapons deliveries to Ukraine, including European deliveries.
At a minimum, the officials said, Putin will seek for the US to halt all its weapons deliveries.
European allies worry that this would allow Russia to rearm during a pause in fighting before recommencing its invasion of Ukraine. Kyiv, meanwhile, would be unable to properly defend itself.
Tom Watling18 March 2025 13:22
We have some more details of Putin’s latest address
Vladimir Putin has told a business conference in Moscow that he has instructed his cabinet to develop a procedure for the return of Western business.
He claims that they will be give a guarantee of fair business conduct.
Tom Watling18 March 2025 13:05
Trump-Putin call unlikely to take place soon
Earlier we reported that Kremlin had said the Trump-Putin call was scheduled to take place between 1 pm and 3 pm GMT.
If it takes place within that timeframe, it will likely be toward the end of the two-hour window, as Putin is currently addressing a business conference.
Tom Watling18 March 2025 13:03
Vladimir Putin has told Russian businesses not to expect Western sanctions to end soon, state media has reported.
Speaking to the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, Putin said the West would not hesitate to slap more sanctions on Russia to “put a spoke in the wheel”.
There is no point in counting on complete freedom of trade in the world, he added, saying he is sure “it will never be like it was before”.
His comments come despite positive signals from Donald Trump about resetting relations with Moscow.
In the past month, as Trump has – on occasion – parroted Russian propaganda, Putin has remained publicly cautious about new relations with US, likely attempting to downplay the significant boost that American reinvestment would mean for Russia.
Experts suggest he is treading a line between optimising the outcome of interactions with Trump and the US without overtly stating the evident benefits of resetting ties with America.
Tom Watling18 March 2025 12:59
Foreign secretary meets EU’s foreign affairs representative
Foreign Secretary David Lammy and the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs Kaja Kallas are meeting today.
Before their official talks, the pair shook hands on the front doorstep of Mr Lammy’s official residence, and he reiterated the need for an “enduring and a lasting peace” for Ukraine.
Mr Lammy said: “We know that we are meeting at a very tough geopolitical moment in which there is of course war in Europe and our deep concern is to continue to support Ukraine at this time, and of course to achieve an enduring and a lasting peace.”
Rachel Clun18 March 2025 12:43
Turkey will help with Ukraine security guarantees
Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will help provide security guarantees for Ukraine, the Prime Minister of the Netherlands confirmed.
Dick Schoof said he spoke with Mr Erdoğan ahead of Donald Trump’s talks with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, and they discussed the importance of supporting Ukraine.
“Just spoke with President @RTErdogan of Türkiye,” he wrote on X.
“First we discussed the war in Ukraine, the importance of providing unwavering support in the struggle against the Russian aggressor, and European security.
“Türkiye can help contribute to security guarantees, which will be a key condition for stable and lasting peace in Ukraine.”
Rachel Clun18 March 2025 12:31
Starmer tells Trump Ukraine must be ‘in the strongest possible position’ ahead of Putin call
Sir Keir Starmer told Donald Trump that Ukraine must be put in the “strongest possible position” in order to secure a “just and lasting peace” in the war with Russia when the pair spoke on the phone on Monday evening.
It comes ahead of crunch talks between Mr Trump and Vladimir Putin on Tuesday, where they are expected to discuss the US-Ukraine plan for a 30-day ceasefire.
Following a call between Sir Keir and Mr Trump on Monday night, the prime minister’s official spokesman said: “The prime minister updated the president on his coalition of the willing call with international leaders that took place on Saturday.
“He reiterated that all must work together to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position to secure a just and lasting peace.”
Rachel Clun18 March 2025 12:20
Ukraine experts inspect Russian drone debris
Ukrainian experts inspect the debris of a Russian drone that fell in the morning near a school on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine on Wednesday amid the ongoing Russian invasion.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched over 100 shock drones against Ukraine during the night of 18 March 2025, with no casualties reported.
Rachel Clun18 March 2025 12:11
