Ukraine is open to softening Russian sanctions as a part of the peace deal

On March 17, 2025, Politico published an article detailing Ukraine’s potential openness to softening sanctions on Russia as part of a broader peace deal to end the ongoing war. Vladyslav Vlasiuk, Ukraine’s top sanctions official and a key aide to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, told Politico that economic measures like embargoes and bans on Russian energy imports could serve as leverage to secure justice and compel Moscow to halt its aggression. While emphasizing that any easing of sanctions would require the “right conditions” to ensure lasting peace, Vlasiuk acknowledged that a return to normalized business relations with Russia is inevitable over time. This stance reflects a pragmatic shift, as Ukraine navigates the complexities of U.S. President Donald Trump’s push for bilateral negotiations with Moscow, especially following Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff’s recent talks with Putin.

The article highlights the delicate balance Ukraine seeks between maintaining pressure on Russia and adapting to shifting international dynamics. Vlasiuk stressed that sanctions are not merely punitive but strategic tools to force Russia into a deal that guarantees security and justice for Ukraine, though he noted it’s too early to specify which sanctions might be lifted. Meanwhile, Trump’s administration has oscillated between threatening Russia with new sanctions and pausing military aid to Ukraine, complicating Kyiv’s position. Zelenskyy, while endorsing a ceasefire proposal, has called for tougher economic measures against Russia, revealing a tension between Ukraine’s immediate needs and the broader diplomatic overtures led by the U.S. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte’s comments about gradual normalization with Moscow further signal a potential softening of Western resolve, placing additional pressure on Ukraine to consider concessions like sanctions relief as part of a peace framework.

Territorial integrity, military size, and alliances are the main fundamentals for the potential peace talk -FM Sybiha

In an interview with RBC-Ukraine published on March 17, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha outlined three fundamental conditions for any future negotiations to end Russia's war against Ukraine. Sybiha emphasized that Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty are non-negotiable, making it clear that Kyiv will never recognize Russian-occupied territories as part of Russia. He reiterated that these are not "red lines" but core principles that cannot be compromised. This position aligns with President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent statements reaffirming Ukraine's refusal to cede any territory to Russia, despite pressure from the Trump administration, which has suggested that Ukraine may need to accept compromises to reach a peace deal. At present, Russian forces occupy about 20% of Ukraine's territory, where reports of human rights abuses, torture, and forced deportations persist.

Sybiha also stressed Ukraine's right to choose its alliances, asserting that no foreign power should be allowed to veto Kyiv’s aspirations to join NATO and the European Union. Ukraine officially applied for NATO membership in September 2022, and although the alliance declared Ukraine's path to membership "irreversible" in 2024, a formal invitation has not yet been extended. The third key condition, according to Sybiha, is that Ukraine must retain an unrestricted right to defend itself, meaning no limitations can be imposed on the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He also underscored that Russia must be held accountable for its aggression as part of any lasting peace. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed conditional willingness to accept a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire, demanding that Ukraine stop mobilization, military training, and foreign aid intake—conditions that Kyiv views as unacceptable. U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to speak with Putin on March 18 to explore possible options for ending the war, though Kyiv and European allies warn that any rushed deal lacking firm security guarantees could fail to bring durable peace.

The nighttime drone attack caused a big fire in Odesa Oblast, a kindergarten was damaged, and one person injured 

A nighttime Russian drone attack on Odesa Oblast caused significant destruction, leaving one person injured, according to the State Emergency Service and regional authorities. The attack ignited a fire in a disused warehouse, a shop, and a car, which firefighters were able to extinguish quickly. In addition to these fires, a kindergarten and a residential building sustained damage, highlighting the ongoing threat to civilian infrastructure.

Oleh Kiper, Head of Odesa Oblast Military Administration, reported that around 500 residents in Odesa’s suburbs are currently without electricity due to damage to the energy infrastructure. Emergency services are actively working to address the aftermath and restore essential services. This attack marks another instance of Russia targeting civilian areas and critical infrastructure during its ongoing campaign against Ukraine.

Russian attack on Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast left three children injured

On the morning of March 17, Russian forces struck the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, injuring three children aged 15, 12, and 8, according to regional officials and the Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor’s Office. The attack targeted a house where the children were staying. As a result, the 12-year-old boy and his two sisters sustained blast injuries, burns, a fracture, bruises, and a closed head injury. They received medical assistance following the strike.

Authorities have launched a war crimes investigation under Article 438.1 of Ukraine's Criminal Code, and the type of weapon used in the attack is still being determined. Vadym Filashkin, Head of Donetsk Oblast Military Administration, noted that although the children had been previously evacuated to a safer region, their parents had decided to return to Pokrovsk, where they were caught in the latest Russian attack on civilians.