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These are the key developments on day 1,115 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Here is the situation on Saturday, March 15:
Fighting
- Russian President Vladimir Putin called for Ukrainian troops in the Russian region of Kursk to “surrender,” stating that “if they lay down their arms and surrender, they will be guaranteed life and dignified treatment.”
- Putin’s remarks were broadcast on Russian television hours after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that “thousands” of Ukrainian troops were surrounded by Russian forces in Kursk. Trump added that he had “strongly requested” Putin to spare their lives.
- Ukraine’s General Staff denied that its forces in Kursk were encircled by Russian troops, calling such reports “fabricated by the Russians for political manipulation and to exert pressure on Ukraine and its partners.”
- A Russian missile struck a residential area in the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, injuring 11 people, including two children, according to the regional governor. Kryvyi Rih is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s hometown and has been repeatedly targeted during Russia’s three-year invasion.
- Russian guided bombs hit several targets in Ukraine, including a residential area in the southern city of Kherson, killing one person, the regional governor said on Telegram.
- Near Ukraine’s Black Sea city of Odesa, Russian drones attacked the port of Chornomorsk, cutting off power to the area’s residents, the regional governor reported.
- Russian air defenses shot down four Ukrainian drones attacking Moscow, said Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin. One drone damaged the roof of an apartment building near the Kremlin, while several other buildings were lightly damaged by drone fragments. No injuries were reported.
- A far-right anti-Russian activist was shot dead on a street in Odesa, and a suspect has been arrested, Zelenskyy said on Telegram. The suspect, a 46-year-old man, was described as a “deserter” from the Ukrainian army. Police said they could not rule out the possibility that the crime was carried out on behalf of Russian intelligence services.
Ceasefire
- Putin met with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss details of a U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in the war, asking him to convey Moscow’s thoughts to Washington, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
- Trump admitted he was “being a little bit sarcastic” when he claimed during his presidential campaign that he could resolve the Russia-Ukraine war within 24 hours—even before taking office.
- In a speech at the U.S. Department of Justice, Trump said ceasefire negotiations with Russia were ongoing and praised his relationship with Putin, stating that the Russian leader “has respect for this country.” He also suggested Ukraine was to blame for Russia’s 2022 invasion, saying, “You don’t want to pick on somebody that’s a lot larger than you.”
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer accused Putin of not taking U.S.-led ceasefire efforts seriously.
- French President Emmanuel Macron, in a post on X, called on Moscow to stop its “acts of violence” in Ukraine.
- G7 foreign ministers warned Russia of new sanctions unless it accepted a ceasefire “on equal terms.” Potential sanctions could include oil price caps, additional support for Ukraine, and other measures.
Politics and Diplomacy
- European support for Ukraine will be discussed in a video conference with about 25 EU and other world leaders, along with Zelenskyy, on Saturday. Diplomatic sources said EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas would propose that the bloc provide up to €40 billion ($43.5 billion) in new military aid to Ukraine.
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will urge leaders from the “coalition of the willing”—including Europe, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand—to make concrete commitments to support Ukraine and increase pressure on Russia to accept a ceasefire during the video conference.
- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko is visiting North Korea, according to North Korean state media.
- Russia and Venezuela announced plans to boost energy cooperation after the U.S. ordered oil giant Chevron to withdraw from the Caribbean country.
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