Thursday, March 19
Russia’s war against Ukraine
An exchange of prisoners of war takes place between Ukraine and Russia. 175 prisoners of war return to Ukraine, and an equal number of Russians are transferred to the opposing side on March 19, 2025. (Maxym Marusenko/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Trump, Zelensky hold hour-long phone call, discuss aligning Russia and Ukraine’s ‘requests and needs,’ US president says. “Just completed a very good telephone call with President Zelensky of Ukraine. It lasted approximately one hour. Much of the discussion was based on the call made yesterday with President Putin in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs,” U.S. President Donald Trump said following the conversation.
Zelensky agrees to halt strikes on Russian energy infrastructure during call with Trump. President Volodymyr Zelensky said he agreed to stop strikes on Russian energy infrastructure during a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on March 19.
US ownership of Ukraine’s power plants would be ‘best protection’ of energy infrastructure, White House says. President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky held a phone call on March 19, during which Trump suggested American ownership of Ukraine’s power plants could help ensure their security.
Germany agrees on additional $3.3 billion in military aid for Ukraine. The outgoing German government agreed to release an additional 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) in military assistance for Ukraine, a German Finance Ministry spokesperson confirmed for the Kyiv Independent on March 19.
Ukraine brings home 175 prisoners of war in swap with Russia. Ukraine has brought home 175 Ukrainian soldiers in a one-for-one prisoner exchange with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on March 19.
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US, Russian officials to meet in Saudi Arabia in ‘coming days,’ Waltz says. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said he had discussed Trump’s efforts to end the war in Ukraine with Yuri Ushakov, a close adviser to Putin.
Trump agrees to help Ukraine find available Patriot air defense systems in Europe, White House says. President Volodymyr Zelensky asked U.S. President Donald Trump for additional air defense systems to protect Ukrainian civilians, in particular, Patriot missile systems. The U.S. president agreed to find what was available, particularly in Europe, according to a readout of a call between the two leaders on March 19.
Ukraine ceasefire could be reached ‘in a couple of weeks,’ Witkoff says. “I actually think in a couple of weeks we’re going to get to it (a ceasefire). So, lots of good things. Now it’s for the technical teams to dot the I’s and cross the T’s. And everybody is committed to that process,“ said U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.
US has ‘moved beyond minerals deal’ to focus on lasting ceasefire in Ukraine, White House says. Washington is now focused on achieving a lasting ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on March 19 when asked about the current status of the potential minerals deal between the U.S. and Ukraine.
EU plans to supply at least 2 million shells annually to Ukraine. The European Union plans to supply Ukraine with at least 2 million shells annually, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced on March 19.
Read our exclusives
Ukraine war latest: Trump, Zelensky hold phone call to discuss ceasefire; Ukraine brings back 175 soldiers from Russian captivity
President Volodymyr Zelensky said he agreed to stop strikes on Russian energy infrastructure during a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on March 19.
Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant in focus of Ukraine peace talks. What’s at stake?
The control of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), the largest one in Europe, has been actively discussed between Kyiv and Washington over the past week.
Photo: Andrey Borodulin/AFP via Getty Images
‘Putin is stalling’ — Trump ‘ceasefire’ call met with skepticism in Kyiv
In Kyiv, the reaction to the call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin on March 18 has been noticeably muted.
Photo: Brendan Smialowski / AFP
Ukraine denies Russian claims of thwarted attempt to invade Belgorod Oblast — here’s what we know
Russia’s Defense Ministry on March 18 said it had stopped a significant Ukrainian ground assault from entering Russia’s Belgorod Oblast, a claim Kyiv swiftly dismissed as a propaganda effort.
Photo: Taras Ibragimov / Suspilne Ukraine / JSC “UA:PBC” / Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images
Human cost of Russia’s war
Russian attacks on railway infrastructure in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast injure four workers. Russia carried out two attacks on Ukraine’s railway energy infrastructure in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, injuring four workers, Ukrzaliznytsia reported on March 19.
International response
Zelensky confirms new arrival of F-16 jets to Ukraine. A new shipment of Western F-16 fighter jets has arrived in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed to journalists on March 19
US may relinquish leadership of NATO’s European command, NBC reports. For nearly 75 years, a four-star U.S. general has held the position of Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), overseeing NATO’s military strategy and operations.
US scales down efforts in countering Russian sabotage, Reuters reports. Under former U.S. President Joe Biden, the National Security Council coordinated the effort of at least seven security agencies, who worked with European partners to disrupt Russia’s escalating hybrid activities across the European continent.
US reportedly assures EU about role in Ukraine peace talks as Russia seeks sanctions relief. The move may reassure European leaders, who have expressed concerns that the U.S. would attempt to broker a deal without their involvement.
‘Putin is playing a game here’ — Germany’s Pistorius criticizes Trump’s ceasefire call with Moscow. “After this supposedly groundbreaking, great phone call, the Russian attacks have not decreased,” Boris Pistorius said.
Nordics, Baltics urge concrete steps toward Ukraine’s EU membership. In a joint letter, the foreign ministers of Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia called on Brussels to put forward “concrete proposals on how to decisively advance Ukraine’s accession process.”
Opinions and insights
Success of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine hinges on deterrence
Stronger defense, including nuclear deterrence and forward-deployed forces, is Europe’s best chance to deter Russia and defend Ukraine from further attack.
Photo: Aline Deschamps / Middle East Images / AFP)
Trump’s push for regime change in Ukraine has only boosted Zelensky
Trump’s meddling in domestic Ukrainian politics has backfired spectacularly, making Zelensky a symbol of resistance (again).
Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
In other news
RFE/RL sues Trump administration over funding cuts. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) sued the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) on March 18 over the termination of grant funding, calling the action unconstitutional.
Trump Jr., Witkoff, Carlson involved in secret talks with Zelensky’s rivals, Politico reports. U.S. President Donald Trump’s son, Donald Jr., news host Tucker Carlson, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and special envoy Steve Witkoff were involved in backchannel talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky’s political rivals, Politico reported on March 18, citing undisclosed sources.
Poroshenko attacks Zelensky over sanctions; says Ukraine must stay on defensive. Former President Petro Poroshenko called sanctions imposed against him by the Ukrainian government an “attack on freedom and democracy” in an interview with the German tabloid Bild published on March 18.
46% of Americans think US support for Ukraine is insufficient, poll finds. According to the poll, 46% of Americans believe Washington is not providing sufficient assistance to Ukraine — 16% more than in December.
US court blocks cuts to USAID, says Musk’s DOGE likely violated Constitution. The court order requires the Trump administration to restore email and computer access to all USAID employees, including those on administrative leave. However, it does not reinstate the agency in full or reverse staff firings.
Leading Ukrainian mobile operator Kyivstar acquires ride-hailing service Uklon for $155 million. Ukraine’s largest telecom operator, Kyivstar, has signed an agreement to acquire Uklon, a leading ride-hailing and delivery platform in the country, for $155.2 million, Kyistar’s parent company, Veon, announced in a press release on March 19.
In other news
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