The US and Ukrainian delegations held talks in Saudi Arabia

On March 23, 2025, U.S. and Ukrainian delegations met in Saudi Arabia to discuss ways to end the ongoing war with Russia, hosted under Saudi mediation in Riyadh. The talks were described as “productive and focused” by Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, centered on security guarantees for Ukraine’s energy and infrastructure facilities amid continued Russian attacks, as well as broader ceasefire proposals. The U.S. delegation, including envoy Steve Witkoff, aimed to build on earlier diplomatic efforts, with Witkoff expressing optimism about progress toward a Black Sea ceasefire and a potential full truce, following his comments on Fox News. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted his delegation’s constructive approach, emphasizing technical discussions to protect critical infrastructure.

The meeting resulted in agreements to continue refining confidence-building measures, though no immediate ceasefire was finalized. Both sides explored a possibility for de-escalation, including a previously proposed 30-day ceasefire on energy infrastructure attacks, which Putin had agreed to but was undermined by ongoing strikes. The delegations discussed long-term security assurances and the future of Ukrainian children taken by Russia, as highlighted by U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. Territorial concessions were not yet settled but the talks built a base for subsequent U.S.-Russia discussions on March 24, with Ukraine pushing for a just peace and the U.S. aiming for a broader truce by mid-April, according to Bloomberg reports.

Russia has no borders and will expand in all directions - Russian World ideologist

Vladislav Surkov, former adviser to Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin and chief ideologist of the "Novorossiya" project, has stated that the ideology of the Russian World (Russkiy Mir) "has no borders," implying that Russia will continue expanding its influence in all directions. In an interview with the French weekly L’Express, Surkov reiterated that Russian influence extends wherever its cultural, military, economic, ideological, or humanitarian presence exists. He also claimed that bringing Ukraine back into Russia’s sphere of influence has been a strategic goal since the collapse of the Soviet Union, dismissing Ukraine as an "artificial political entity."

Surkov argued that the ongoing war in Ukraine will ultimately "separate the Russians and the anti-Russians" and "confine" the latter within their "historical territory" to prevent them from "spreading across Russian soil." He acknowledged that Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 may involve "manoeuvres, slowdowns, and pauses," but insisted that the Kremlin’s long-term objective remains unchanged. His statements reflect an expansive, imperialistic vision, in which Russia will "spread out in all directions," reinforcing Moscow’s claims over former Soviet and Russian imperial territories.

Analysts from ISW note that the Kremlin has repeatedly used the concept of the Russian World to justify its military interventions in Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova. The narrative serves as a tool for maintaining influence over former Soviet republics while fostering historical revisionism to undermine Ukrainian statehood. Putin and other Russian officials have also sought to create divisions between Ukraine and its Western allies by falsely suggesting that Ukraine’s neighboring countries have legitimate territorial claims. The ideology of Russkiy Mir remains a central justification for Russia’s ongoing aggression and expansionist ambitions.

Russia attacked Ukraine with 99 drones overnight

Since the evening of March 23, Russian forces have launched 99 Shahed strike UAVs and decoy drones of various types against Ukraine. According to Ukraine’s Air Force, 93 of these drones failed to reach their targets, with 57 confirmed shot down across the country’s south, north, west, and center. Additionally, 36 Russian decoy drones vanished from radar without causing any significant impact.

The attacks targeted Kyiv, Kharkiv, Sumy, Kirovohrad, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, with the drones launched from Russian cities including Millerovo, Kursk, and Primorsko-Akhtarsk. Ukraine’s defense forces responded with a combination of aircraft, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare systems, and mobile fire groups to counter the assault.

Despite the large-scale attack, Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted the majority of the incoming drones, minimizing damage. This latest wave of strikes underscores Russia’s continued use of UAVs in its war effort, testing Ukraine’s air defense capabilities and attempting to exhaust its resources.

Russians launched a missile strike on Sumy, injuring 65, including 14 children

A Russian missile strike on a residential area in the northeastern city of Sumy has injured 65 civilians, including fourteen children, according to local officials. The attack caused significant damage to infrastructure, with children’s hospitals among the affected buildings.

Artem Kobzar, secretary of the Sumy city council, reported that emergency services are working at the scene to assess the full extent of the destruction and provide assistance to those affected. Local authorities have condemned the strike as yet another deliberate attack on civilian areas.

This latest assault on Sumy highlights Russia’s ongoing campaign of targeting urban centers, further endangering civilians and critical infrastructure.