Russia and Ukraine agreed on truce in the Black Sea while the US will help restore Russia's access to markets

The U.S., Russia, and Ukraine have agreed to eliminate the use of force and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea following two days of talks in Saudi Arabia, the White House announced on March 25. Washington also pledged to help restore Russia’s access to global agricultural and fertilizer markets by lowering maritime insurance costs and improving access to ports and payment systems. Additionally, the U.S. and Ukraine agreed to measures banning strikes on energy facilities in both countries, while reaffirming Washington's commitment to securing the release of prisoners of war, civilian detainees, and Ukrainian children deported by Russia.

Defense Minister Rustem Umerov emphasized that any movement of Russian warships beyond the eastern Black Sea would be seen as a direct threat to Ukraine’s national security, giving Kyiv full justification to exercise its right to self-defense. Meanwhile, delegates from Moscow and Washington held a 12-hour meeting in Riyadh on March 24, focusing on a potential maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea. U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that discussions also covered demarcation lines and the status of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, a topic he had previously discussed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Despite these negotiations, Russia has continued its aerial assaults on Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. The Russian delegation, led by Grigory Karasin and Sergey Beseda, and the U.S. delegation, headed by Andrew Peek and Michael Anton, engaged in talks as part of Trump's broader effort to broker a peace deal. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected Washington’s proposal for a 30-day ceasefire during a call with Trump on March 18, offering instead a limited halt to energy sector attacks. Ukrainian officials were briefed on the outcomes of the U.S.-Russia talks before their official announcement, according to sources cited by CBS News.

Kremlin is likely not interested in meaningful peace talks - ISW

Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) suggest that the Russian authorities are not genuinely interested in negotiations to end the war in Ukraine and instead prioritize bilateral talks with the United States. The Kremlin has been reinforcing narratives aimed at undermining support for Ukraine during the recent discussions in Riyadh and continues to show little interest in meaningful peace talks. Russian officials appear to be leveraging the lack of publicly available details from the U.S.-Ukraine and U.S.-Russia negotiations on March 23-24 to shape public perception.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has escalated rhetoric by labeling Ukraine’s leaders as "well-bred Nazis," reiterating Moscow’s pretext for “denazification,” which effectively calls for regime change in Kyiv. Additionally, Lavrov claimed that European nations are prolonging the war, possibly to drive a wedge between Europe and the United States. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused Ukraine of violating a proposed moratorium on energy strikes, despite the agreement still being under discussion in Riyadh. Peskov and Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also downplayed expectations for the negotiations, emphasizing that no major breakthroughs should be expected, reinforcing the idea of a prolonged war effort.

Recent statements from Russian diplomats and academics suggest that the Kremlin is more focused on direct negotiations with Washington rather than multilateral discussions on ending the war. By framing talks in this way, Russian leaders are signaling to their domestic audience that a meaningful peace settlement is unlikely in the near future while laying the groundwork for an extended conflict.

66% of Ukrainians don`t support elections during the war - poll

A majority of Ukrainians oppose holding elections during the ongoing war, believing that voting should take place either immediately after martial law is lifted or within six months to a year, according to a survey by the Razumkov Center. Only 22% of respondents support the idea of holding presidential or parliamentary elections before the war ends, while 66% oppose it.

Regarding the timing of the presidential election after the war, 36% believe it should happen immediately, 35% favor a six-month delay, 16% support waiting a year, and smaller percentages suggest longer postponements. For parliamentary elections, 40% prefer an immediate vote following the end of the war and martial law, 35% favor a six-month delay, and 14% support waiting a year.

The survey was conducted by the Razumkov Center from February 28 to March 6, 2025, using face-to-face interviews in Ukrainian government-controlled areas where no active fighting was taking place. The margin of error does not exceed 2.3%.

Russians resume attacks near Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast after brief pause

After a brief pause, Russian forces have resumed efforts to improve their tactical position near the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, according to Major Viktor Trehubov, spokesperson for the Khortytsia Operational Strategic Group. He noted that Russian troops had been significantly weakened over the past two months and appeared to take a pause in early March, leading to a sharp drop in combat clashes. However, fighting has since intensified, indicating that Russian forces have regrouped and resumed offensive actions.

Despite this resurgence, Trehubov highlighted that the intensity of Russian attacks remains lower than in February due to a reduction in available personnel and equipment. Ukrainian forces on the Pokrovsk and Myrnohrad fronts have reported encountering fewer Russian troops.

He emphasized that Russia cannot afford to abandon this front, as it remains a key part of their broader strategic plans for Donetsk Oblast. Heavy Russian losses in January and February have significantly impacted their ability to sustain high-intensity operations in the region.

 82% of Ukrainians support continuing the fight against Russia even without US support - poll

A vast majority of Ukrainians—82%—believe that Ukraine should continue fighting even if the United States permanently stops its support, according to a recent poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS). Only 8% of respondents indicated they would lean toward accepting capitulation under such circumstances.

The sentiment is consistent across all regions of Ukraine, with between 78% and 83% of people in the east and west, respectively, supporting continued resistance. The poll was conducted in late March, shortly after the temporary suspension of U.S. military aid to Kyiv, reflecting public determination despite uncertainties about international assistance.