Ukraine Invasion: Part 55

[MagicFox]

We're on 55. Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦 That last one went quickly!

Agreed thread guidance:
A. The agreed purpose of the thread is for the sharing of information and commentary on current events
B. If you post a link please tell us where it leads/give a precis of the content
C. Discussion and debate is welcome, but please keep it respectful

“Putin bombs energy plants hours after telling Trump he would halt attacks“ Telegraph

@DuncinToffee Locals confirming part of Slovyansk was left without electricity as a result

He knows he can get away with it and that Trump is extremely weak and partial to him.

A Russian-leaning White House, who’d have thought it!

The Russians are gloating

In fairness I’d be gloating too.

Medvedev is the most obsequious, ferrety little shit

Says it all - come on Europe!

Thread by Edward Hunter Christie on the broader implications of Trump’s potential withdrawal of American command as SACEUR : https://skywriter.blue/pages/did:plc:4keg4xrayvkplosqygfdhyu4/post/3lkpts2kv7s2b

I just laugh at him, he’s not worth the energy it would take to loathe him.

"Ukrainians have shown Sisu in their fight against Russia…Finland will continue its strong support for Ukraine until the end…We are in this together”

President of Finland, Alexander Stubb

The Ukrainian interpreter at Zelenskyy’s press conference in Finland just called Donald Trump ‘President Tripe’ before correcting herself

From Sky: Russia has accused Ukraine of deliberately attacking its energy infrastructure.
The Russian ministry of defence says Kyiv used three drones to attack an oil depot located near the village of Kavkazskaya, sparking a fire.
"It is absolutely clear that this is another provocation specially prepared by the Kyiv regime, aimed at disrupting the peace initiatives of the US president," it added.

They’ve got a fucking cheek! No doubt the orange moron and his clan will lap it up.

It's the absolute essence of that sort of authoritarian control from Putin, isn't it?

To ask Trump to believing he's "made a deal".

Then to break the deal right in front of him in less than 24 hours.

Then to ask Trump to believe it was the other guy.

Trump should be raging that Putin's made such a huge fool of him – in front of the whole world. If Trump really were the tough guy he pretends he is, this would be the end for his relationship with Putin.

Trump doesn’t know his arse from his elbow though when it comes to international diplomacy. JD and the other cretins will feed him lines about it being Ukraine’s fault and that’ll be that.

This is all going so horribly predictably.
I'm wishing for the sky to fall in on Putin, or Trump, preferably both of them, or something. It's unbearable watching this play out.

It is just heartbreaking. Unbearable. Even for us. What it must be like for Ukrainians ... no words.

Yes. And the number of people, westerners, democratic commentators, still giving Trump the time of day and the benefit of the doubt and cutting him some slack on the spurious notion this could achieve something - well, my thoughts are unprintable so I will not articulate them.
Was being discussed on R4 a bit earlier. Simon Schama doesn't mince his words and has the full measure of Cheeto Corleone, thankfully. His anger is palpable. Reliable on X, too.

Agree, the sky war expert (sorry useless with names) also had the measure of the deal. I don’t know who is advising Tripe (intentional typo) but they need to up their game.

Kyiv Independent Telegram Highlights

⚡️ Trump, Putin agree to form US, Russian expert groups (kyivindependent.com/kremlin-demands-to-stop-supplying-military-intelligence-aid-to-ukraine-announces-new-prisoner-swap/) to pursue bilateral Ukrainian settlement.

⚡️US-Russia ceasefire talks (kyivindependent.com/us-russia-ceasefire-talks-set-for-march-23-in-jeddah-us-envoy-witkoff-says/) set for March 23 in Jeddah, US envoy Witkoff says.

⚡️ US may relinquish leadership (https://kyivindependent.com/us-may-relinquish-leadership-in-nato-military-command-nbc-reports/) 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.

⚡️Putin didn't mention military aid (kyivindependent.com/putin-didnt-mention-military-aid-in-phone-call-trump-says/) in phone call, Trump says.

⚡️ Zelensky announces (kyivindependent.com/zelensky-trump-to-hold-a-conversation-on-march-19/) talk with Trump on March 19.

⚡️ Trump-Putin call: Russia agrees to 30-day pause of energy infrastructure strikes (https://kyivindependent.com/trump-putin-call-russia-agrees-to-30-day-pause-of-energy-infrastructure-strikes/).

⚡️2 Sumy Oblast hospitals hit by drones (kyivindependent.com/2-sumy-oblast-hospitals-hit-by-drones-hours-after-putin-agrees-to-halt-energy-grid-attacks/) hours after Putin agrees to halt energy grid attacks.

⚡️ Putin responded favorably to Trump’s Black Sea navigation safety proposal (kyivindependent.com/trump-putin-call-russia-agrees-to-30-day-pause-of-energy-infrastructure-strikes/), Kremlin says.

⚡️Trump, Putin open to 'mutually beneficial cooperation' (kyivindependent.com/trump-putin-open-to-mutually-beneficial-cooperation-in-key-sectors-kremlin-says/) in key sectors, Kremlin says.

⚡️'I don't want us to be on Putin's menu' — Zelensky says negotiations (kyivindependent.com/i-dont-want-us-to-be-on-putins-menu-zelensky-says-negotiations-must-include-ukraine/) must include Ukraine.
Ukraine must be included in all future negotiations regarding steps to end Russia's full-scale war, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a virtual press conference on March 18.

⚡️ US reportedly (kyivindependent.com/us-reportedly-signals-eu-role-in-ukraine-peace-talks-as-russia-seeks-sanctions-relief/) assures EU about role in Ukraine peace talks as Russia seeks sanctions relief.

⚡️ Russia sees (kyivindependent.com/russia-sees-us-aid-halt-during-ukraine-truce-as-minimum-goal-bloomberg-reports/) US aid halt during Ukraine truce as its 'minimum' goal, Bloomberg reports.
The Kremlin wants all Western arms supplies to Ukraine to stop during a proposed truce but prioritizes a pause on U.S. arms as its "minimum aim," Bloomberg reported on March 18, citing two undisclosed sources in Moscow.

⚡️ Kremlin demands halt to foreign military aid, intelligence to Ukraine (kyivindependent.com/kremlin-demands-to-stop-supplying-military-intelligence-aid-to-ukraine-announces-new-prisoner-swap/) as condition for avoiding war escalation.
In addition to halting foreign military aid and intelligence, the Kremlin also called for Ukraine to cease the mobilization and rearmament of its military.

⚡️ Ukrainian forces attempted to enter Belgorod Oblast, repelled (kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-troops-allegedly-try-to-break-into-belgorod-oblast-russia-claims/) by Russian forces, Russia claims.

⚡️ US scales down efforts in countering Russian sabotage, Reuters reports (https://kyivindependent.com/us-scales-down-efforts-in-countering-russian-sabotage-reuters-reports/).
Some U.S. national security agencies have suspended cooperation with international partners in countering Russian sabotage and cyber operations, Reuters reported.

⚡️China signals willingness to aid Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction (kyivindependent.com/china-expresses-readiness-to-aid-ukraines-post-war-reconstruction/).

⚡️ UK reportedly hopes US drones, satellites will help monitor (kyivindependent.com/uk-expects-us-drones-satellite-surveillance-for-ukraine-ceasefire-monitoring-times-reports/) Ukraine ceasefire.

⚡️ Russian negotiator says he expects talks with Musk (kyivindependent.com/russia-expects-talks-with-musk/) on space, tech.

⚡️Zelensky confirms prisoner exchange (kyivindependent.com/zelensky-confirms-prisoner-exchange-says-he-has-not-yet-spoken-with-trump-after-putin-call/), says he has not yet spoken with Trump after Putin call.

⚡️ Nordics, Baltics urge concrete steps (https://kyivindependent.com/northern-european-countries-demand-concrete-steps-for-ukraines-eu-membership/) toward Ukraine's EU membership.

⚡️ France to deploy fighter jets with nuclear warheads on German border (kyivindependent.com/france-to-deploy-fighter-jets-with-nuclear-warheads-on-german-border-by-2035-macron-says/) by 2035, Macron says.

⚡️ Ukrainian drone strike halts operations (kyivindependent.com/ukrainian-drone-strike-halts-operations-at-russias-kavkazskaya-oil-station/) of Russia's Krasnodar Krai oil station, authorities claim.

⚡️ Russia claims it downed (kyivindependent.com/russia-claims-it-downed-7-own-drones-to-uphold-energy-ceasefire-kyiv-says-moscow-launched-145/) 7 own drones to uphold energy ceasefire; Kyiv says Moscow launched 145.

⚡️Trump administration cuts funding for initiative tracking Russian abductions of Ukrainian children (kyivindependent.com/trump-administration-cuts-funding-for-initiative-tracking-russian-abductions-of-ukrainian-children-wp-reports/), WP reports.
Researchers reportedly lost access to the database last month after U.S. officials terminated the contract, cutting off critical evidence from investigators pursuing war crimes cases, the Washington Post (WP) reported on March 18.

⚡️ Zelensky [visited] Finland for official visit (https://kyivindependent.com/zelensky-arrives-in-finland-for-official-visit-to-discuss-security-and-strengthen-ties/)to discuss security and strengthen ties.

Polish right takes hard line on Ukraine ahead of presidential vote (https://kyivindependent.com/anti-ukraine-sentiment-becoming-currency-in-polish-election-campaign/)
With the Polish presidential elections just two months away, two of the country's leading right-wing candidates have become increasingly antagonistic toward Ukraine and its leadership.

⚡️ RFE/RL sues (kyivindependent.com/rfe-rl-sues-trump-administration-over-funding-cuts/) Trump administration over funding cuts.

⚡️ EU approves over $2 billion in economic support (https://kyivindependent.com/eu-approves-2-billion-in-economic-support-for-moldova/) for Moldova.
The Reform and Growth Facility, which includes 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion) in low-interest loans and 385 million euros ($420 million) in grants, will cover the period of 2025-2027 and is part of the EU's long-term Moldova Growth Plan.

⚡️ Notorious judge dismissed (kyivindependent.com/notorious-ukrainian-judge-dismissed-amid-accusations-of-criminal-organization-power-grab/) amid accusations of criminal activity, power grab.
The High Council of Justice has dismissed Judge Pavlo Vovk, the head of the liquidated Kyiv District Administrative Court (OASK), who is accused of creating a criminal organization and attempting to seize power, according to an official announcement published on March 18.

⚡️ 46% of Americans think US support for Ukraine is insufficient (kyivindependent.com/46-of-americans-think-us-support-for-ukraine-is-insufficient-poll-finds/), poll finds.

⚡️ 2 killed, 18 injured in Russian attacks (kyivindependent.com/attacks-135/) against Ukraine over past day.

Ragnar Bjartur Gudmundsson 🇺🇦‬ ‪@ragnarbjartur.bsky.social‬

⚡️ WAR IN UKRAINE - MAR 19, 2025
■ Fewer engagements & less casualties
■ Equipment losses stay above the 7-day average however
■ Unusually few 🇷🇺 strikes & single-digit strike ratio

Not sure if it's been highlighted upthread (super busy day sorry) but the US may be relinquishing command of NATO in Europe. It seems fair enough on the surface - if Europe is moving towards self-sufficiency then Europe should have command of it's own country - but it's impossible to escape the near-certainty that Tripe is working to step away from NATO.

UNITED24 Media Telegram Highlights

The UK and EU are intensifying talks on seizing frozen Russian assets to increase pressure on Russia ahead of possible peace negotiations to end the war against Ukraine.

"We believe that the proposal by France and Great Britain to send European troops to Ukraine is a risky and ineffective option," said Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
At the same time, she noted that Italy proposes to provide Ukraine with security guarantees similar to NATO's Article 5.

The EU must urgently develop a clear roadmap for Ukraine to become a full member of the community, according to a joint letter from the top diplomats of Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia.

Poland will deploy anti-personnel mines on its border with Russia and Belarus as part of the Eastern Shield defensive complex, Deputy Defense Minister Paweł Bejda announced.
“We have no choice. The situation on the border is serious… We have concerns that border on certainty that Belarus is acting under the complete control of Russia. Whatever Putin says, Lukashenko will agree to it. Remember from which side Ukraine was attacked—from the territory of Belarus,” Bejda said.
He noted that the Polish army currently does not have anti-personnel mines but has the capability to produce them.

The Latvian government has decided to partially close the "Pāternieki" border crossing with Belarus in the Krāslava region and the "Grebņeva" and "Terehova" crossings on the border with Russia in the Ludza region starting March 19.
Latvia's Ministry of Internal Affairs emphasized the importance of unified border control measures on both the Latvian-Belarusian and Latvian-Russian borders. This decision comes amid concerns that Russia may attempt to replicate hybrid warfare tactics used on the Finnish border to provoke a migration crisis, similar to previous incidents on the Belarus-EU border.

Ukraine has opened a Consulate General in India, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said he had a "constructive conversation" with his Hungarian counterpart Péter Szijjártó on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi.

The German parliament has voted for billions in defense and infrastructure investments. This will unlock aid to Ukraine.
The bill, which provides for the relaxation of debt restrictions in the German Constitution, was supported by 513 members of the Bundestag. It must now be approved by the Bundesrat (upper house).
The document provides that defense, intelligence, and cybersecurity spending will be exempt from the debt rule if they exceed 1% of GDP.
Within the framework of this point, the green light is given to unlock €3 billion in military aid to Ukraine.
It is also planned to create a special fund of €500 billion for additional investments in infrastructure.

Ukraine will not allow the Zaporizhzhia NPP to operate for the occupiers, President Zelenskyy stated.
“What conversations America has with the Russians regarding the Zaporizhzhia station—I do not yet know the details.
As for the vision: this is our station, and it will not work without us. According to our intelligence, the Russians want it to operate without us. They are trying to involve the IAEA, but this is a serious international institution, and so far, they have not let us down. I truly believe and hope this will continue.
The Ukrainian side will not allow them (the Russians) to make this station, located on our temporarily occupied land, work for the occupier.”

Russians struck a hospital in Sumy, prompting the evacuation of over a hundred patients by the State Emergency Service.
The occupiers attacked the medical facility late on March 18, causing fires that rescuers quickly extinguished. A total of 147 patients were evacuated, including nine with limited mobility.
The blast wave also damaged a children’s medical facility nearby. Fortunately, there were no casualties.

U.S. prosecutors have been granted permission to auction the superyacht Amadea, owned by Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov, Financial Times reports.
The 106-meter vessel was seized in Fiji in May 2022 on suspicion of violating U.S. anti-money laundering laws. It was later towed to San Diego, where it has remained docked.
Estimated at $300 million, the yacht features a swimming pool, gym, spa, conference room, wine cellar, a hand-painted gold Pleyel grand piano, and even a lobster aquarium.
Kerimov denies ownership, but U.S. investigators obtained statements from the yacht’s staff and ship’s logbook data that suggest otherwise.

Poland and the Baltics genuinely believe war is almost certainly coming and definitely coming if they don't rearm, don't they. Germany too.

Kyiv Post Telegram Highlights

Zelensky warns of a possible maximum offensive by Putin’s troops on Ukrainian territory in the coming months.

Germany and France vow to keep arming Ukraine after Putin demands the West stop.
www.kyivpost.com/post/49169

Trump claims the heated Oval Office exchange with Zelensky was “to get Ukraine to do the right thing,” repeats false claims of Kyiv troops surrounded in Kursk, the US having given $350B, whereas Europe gave only $100B as a repayable loan.
www.kyivpost.com/post/49106

Ukrainian HIMARS strikes North Korean artillery systems in Kursk region.
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/49186

Did Russia shoot down its own drones after Putin’s order to halt energy strikes? The timing says otherwise, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
www.kyivpost.com/post/49206

Trump’s aid cuts could soon leave Ukraine and seven other countries without HIV meds. No treatment means 10 million new infections and 3 million dead.
www.kyivpost.com/post/49131

Can Ukraine still win and reclaim its 1991 borders? Ex-Navy SEAL Chuck Pfarrer says yes — with the right weapons and support. Here's what Ukraine needs to secure victory.

Live: Ukraine Telegram Highlights

❗️Putin tells Trump that Ukraine must halt mobilization and rearmament of its armed forces if a ceasefire is reached, Kremlin says

Ukrainian children in Melitopol, under Russian occupation, are being militarized by Russian authorities in schools https://t.me/liveukraine_media/29841

Russian Mi-28 military helicopter crashes in Leningrad region, crew killed
Russian state media, citing the Ministry of Defense, report that a Mi-28 attack helicopter crashed during a scheduled training flight in Russia’s Leningrad region.
The cause of the crash has not been disclosed. Both crew members were killed.

I think France, too. I have an old friend in Finland, I mean to contact her and ask her what the mood is there. @Natsku is in Finland I believe? (Forgive me if I am wrong.)
I remember when the Brexit vote happened sending an article about the Baltics and WW2 and the fear that Europe could be in danger etc etc to some younger relatives, sounding a warning bell. I think they thought; oh old person banging on with silly fears - even though they would have voted (doubtless did) to stay in the EU, they saw it not in those terms.
Putin plays a very, very long game. We tend not to. In fact I think that's the biggest flaw of democracy. The lack of wise, long, historical perspective being given sufficient weight. Maybe. I'm officially old this year I think (70th birthday in a month) so I now have these kind of thoughts a lot!

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/trump-admin-considers-giving-nato-command-exclusively-american-eisenho-rcna196503

I think the key point here is IF they don’t rearm etc. it’s deterrence that is needed, viable deterrence.