Photo : Tucker Carlson’s interview with Steve Witkoff (Left) Trump’s special envoy. Source: The Kyiv Post
Photo : Tucker Carlson’s interview with Steve Witkoff (Left) Trump’s special envoy. Source: The Kyiv Post
By Padmashre Anandhan
WAR ON GROUND
On 23 March, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recalled the West allies to impose additional pressure on Russia to end the war. This comes as 150 drones were observed to have hit Kyic killing seven in the last 24 hours. In social media, he posted: “New decisions and new pressure on Moscow are needed to put an end to these strikes and this war.” The US-Ukraine talks which were initially scheduled for 24 March, began on 23 March. Following the meeting, Ukraine’s Defence Minister Rustem Umerov stated that the talks were “constructive and meaningful,” with more focus on the energy sector. On the same day, Zelenskyy highlighted that more than 1,500 guided aerial bombs, 1,100 drones and 15 type of missiles were used by Russia to attack Ukraine in the past week espcially using more than 1,00,000 foreign components.
On 23 March, Ukrinform reported on a spokesperson for the Kharkiv Operational Tactical Group Pavlo Shamshyn's statement on Russian forces holding a defensive position in Kharkiv. According to him, the highest activity of the Russian forces was observed near Vovchansk and the surrounding areas to “improve its tactical position.” On the question of whether Ukraine faces weather-related issues in using equipment and transport, he responded by saying no significant impact on overall combat.
On 22 March, Ukrinform reported on the Ukrainian Air Force striking a command center of Russia in the Belgorod border region. According to the Ukrainian Armed Forces General Staff: “Despite the Russian units implementing enhanced camouflage measures, Ukrainian pilots eliminated the enemy facility. The strike destroyed communication systems and other technical equipment.” They also added that the destruction had weakened the Russian military ability to combat operations in Sumy and Kharkiv regions.
On 22 March, Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal reported on Ukraine’s deal with Finland to create a coalition for shelter construction. This is aimed at building Ukraine’s capabilities and give special attention to “humanitarian demining.” He reiterated the World Bank report on requiring USD 30 billion for full demining. He added: “we are prioritizing the demining of agricultural land. We understand how crucial this is in the context of the upcoming planting season.”
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 23 March, TASS reported on Russian President’s Press Secretary, Dmitry Peskov’s interview. In the interview, he criticised Europe for exacerbating the conflict. He said that the military aid to Ukraine was key to the conflict and suggested reconsidering the deployment of troops in Ukraine. He added: “…without addressing those causes, it is impossible to stop the war. Instead, Europe is discussing the potential deployment of NATO contingents in Ukraine.” He expressed perplexity in EU’s latest EUR 800 billion fund and said that it was for militarisation and not for healthcare or development.
On 23 March, Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov stated that the US-Russia talks would focus on ending hostilities in the Black Sea. This is mainly to resume the trade traffic and achieve a Black Sea maritime ceasefire.
On 23 March, TASS reported on Russia’s Defence Ministry claim on the loss incurred by the Ukrainian troops in Kursk. According to the report, Ukraine has lost 190 soldiers in the last 24 hours, three combat armored vehicles, and a multiple-launch rocket system launcher. This comes as Russia’s Battlegroup North had perpetrated losses on Ukraine’s mechanized, marine territorial and airborne assault brigades.
On 22 March, RT reported on Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warning to Ukraine. She stressed that Russia had the right to counter Ukraine if it continued to strike on Russia’s energy infrastructure violating the partial ceasefire. According to the report, Ukraine had hit an oil deport in Russia’s Krasnodar region a day after the deal and destroyed a gas metering station in Sudhza, Kursk. She said: “Kiev is once again demonstrating its complete inability to negotiate, as well as its lack of desire to achieve peace.”
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 23 March, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in an interview with Tucker Carlson expresses a positive view on Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. Recalling his two meetings with Putin on 11 February and 13 March, he said that he was tasked to “restore US-Russia relations” and begin discussion on ending the Ukraine conflict. He described Putin as “not a bad person” and on the war: “It’s a complicated situation, this war, and all the components that led to it. You know, it’s never just one person who’s right.” On the talks over Kursk's encirclement by Russia, Witkoff said that it was not the first time for Ukraine to be surrounded and recalled his conversation with Putin. According to him, Putin stressed handling those Ukrainians who do not want to surrender and Russia’s desire to not kill them. On the question of Ukraine’s moto to join NATO, Witkoff said: “If there is a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia the consensus is that Ukraine cannot be a member of NATO.” On the ground situation and Europe’s concerns, Witkoff assured that Russia does not intend to march further towards Europe and they have five regions (indicating the Russian annexed regions: “Crimea, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.”). This was seen as aligning with the Russian agenda.
On 23 March, Netherlands' Prime Minister Dick Schoof reported on his phone call with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on supporting the Coalition of the Willing. In his statement, he confirmed on giving unwavering support to Ukraine and security guarantees for a “lasting peace.” He also recalled the meeting held in Paris among the military planners and said: “We are working not only for the security of Ukraine but also for that of Europe, and therefore the Netherlands too.” On 22 March, the Netherlands government announced to commit EUR 65 million to aid energy infrastructure repairs for Ukraine.
On 22 March, Czech President Petr Pavel announced the signing of a deal with Ukraine to expand cooperation to manufacture Bren-2 assault rifles. This comes after the visit of President Pavel to a Ukrainian enterprise where the rifles were assembled under Zeska license. The Ukrainian specialists who had earlier trained in the Czech Republic are currently implementing NATO technologies and expertise. The present agreement would increase the supply of components to the local production of the small arms ammunition and assembly of Bren-2 rifles.
References:
“Ukraine-U.S. negotiations in Riyadh conclude,” Ukrinform, 23 March 2025
“Zelensky: Building effective air shield of Ukraine will not stop,” Ukrinform, 23 March 2025
“On Kharkiv front, Russian forces mostly on defensive – military,” Ukrinform, 23 March 2025
“Ukrainian Air Force strikes Russian border post command center in Belgorod region – General Staff,” Ukrinform, 22 March 2025
“Ukraine, Finland finalize agreement to create coalition for shelter construction – Shmyhalv,” Ukrinform, 22 March 2025
“Europe trying to multiply root causes to Ukraine conflict — Kremlin,” TASS, 23 March 2025
“US, Russia to talk cessation of hostilities in Black Sea, trade in Riyadh — advisor Waltz,” TASS, 23 March 2025
“Ukrainian armed forces lost over 190 soldiers in Kursk direction in 24 hours,” TASS, 23 March 2025
“Moscow issues warning to Kiev,” RT, 22 March 2025
“‘He’s Not a Bad Person’ – Steve Witkoff’s Fulsome Assessment of Meeting Putin,” The Kyiv Post, 22 March 2025
“Netherlands, UK PMs discuss security guarantees for Ukraine,” Ukrinform, 24 March 2025
“Netherlands pledges EUR 65M to Ukraine Energy Support Fundv,” Ukrinform, 22 March 2025