Photo : Brussels European Council: Joint press conference. Source: European Commission
Photo : Brussels European Council: Joint press conference. Source: European Commission
By Padmashre Anandhan
WAR ON GROUND
On 20 March, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in response to US proposal to take over the nuclear plants refused to discuss. He said that the 15 nuclear plants present belonged to Ukraine’s state. However, he stated that Ukraine would be open for talk if the US regained control of the Zaporizhzhia power plant. He said: “If they want to take it back from the Russians if they want to modernize it, invest — this is a different question, this is an open question, we can talk about it.”
On 20 March, Ukraine claimed on targeting an airfield near Russia’s Engels strategic bomber base in the Saratov region. The attack resulted in damage to 30 homes, a fire in the airfield, and a state of emergency declared in Engels district. The same was confirmed by Russia’s Defence Ministry claiming to destroy 130 Ukrainian drones across the region including 54 in Saratov. Engels district located 700 kilometers from the front line holds Russia’s Tu-160 nuclear-capable bombers making it strategic for Ukraine’s ongoing attempts to cut Russia’s military infrastructure.
On 19 March, US President Donald Trump proposed in the call with Zelenskyy for the US to take over operations of Ukraine’s nuclear plants. He said: “American ownership of those plants could be the best protection for that infrastructure.” The call was seen to be success from the US end and the White House confirmed on Zelenskyy agreeing for the “partial ceasefire.” Zelenskyy in response said: “One of the first steps towards fully ending the war could be ending strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure.” Zelenskyy also added on the talk with Trump being “substantive and frank” discussing technical issues and ways to expand partial ceasefire.
On 19 March, Ukraine’s Air Force reported on Russian forces launching of six missiles and 145 drones across Ukraine. It resulted in several strikes on civil infrastructure injuring many and killing two. According to the report in Ukrinform the attack comes after Russia’s agreement for a partial ceasefire on energy infrastructure. Apart from this Ukraine’s national railway service also reported on attacks on railway power infrastructure in the central Dnipropetrovsk region, however the services continues without pause.
On 19 March, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed receiving a new batch of F-16 fighter jets. The number of jets delivered was not revealed although the F-16s have been provided majorly by the US, Denmark, and the Netherlands. Another 24 jets are expected to be given by the Netherlands along with spare engines, air-to-air missiles and critical components. The supply of F-16s comes as part of the coalition by NATO countries pledging to give 60 fighter jets.
On 19 March, Russia and Ukraine's governments confirmed holding a prisoner exchange. The exchange was mediated by the United Arab Emirates. Zelenskyy said: “We are bringing back soldiers, sergeants, and officers — warriors who fought for our freedom in the ranks of the Armed Forces, the Navy, the National Guard, the Territorial Defense Forces, and the Border Guard Service.”
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 20 March, RT reported on the upcoming meeting between officials from Russia and the US in Riyadh. The talks are expected to focus on the ceasefire over the Black Sea and ensuring the security of the ships. From Russia, the delegation will be led by Senator Grigory Karasin and Federal Security Service (FSB) aide Sergey Beseda, will lead Moscow’s delegation, while a US expert team will be led by national security adviser, Mike Waltz, to facilitate diplomatic efforts.
On 20 March, the Russian Defence Ministry released a video showing a ground-mobile kamikaze drone striking at a Ukrainian trench in the Kharkiv region. It showcases the vehicle carrying two TM-62 anti-tank mines, remotely guided by an operator with aerial reconnaissance support. On arriving at the trench entrance, the explosive would detonate with each mine weighing eight kilograms of TNT. However, slow and challenging to direct through rouch terrain than over aerial drones. Both Russia and Ukraine are said to be increasingly using the technology.
On 19 March, RT reported on Russian military claims of shooting down its drones to fulfill Putin’s order to halt the strike on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. In a statement released: “Received an order from the Supreme Commander-in-Chief to halt strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.” The ministry also confirmed on already engaged attacks: “…seven Russian attack drones were in the air, targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure facilities related to the country’s military-industrial complex in Nikolaev region.”
On 19 March, Russia’s defence ministry confirmed handing over 175 military soldiers, including 22 seriously wounded servicemen. According to the ministry, the released Russian soldiers were sent to Belarus and will soon come to Russia for treatment. The previous exchanges involved 95 POWs and till now 59 such exchanges have been carried out.
On 19 March, RT confirmed on upcoming talks between the US and Russian officials to resolve the war in Saudia Arabia. The US delegation will be headed by National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to finalise the details for a possible ceasefire.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 20 March, the EU leaders during the meeting in Brussels agreed to increase the defence expenditure to boost Europe’s military readiness by 2030. Ahead of the summit, the leader vouched for the white paper that proposes to mobilize EUR 800 billion in the next four years. This includes EUR 150 billion in loans for rearmament and exempt from the EU debt rules on defence-related investments. On the same day, leaders from Germany, Italy and Poland confirmed to meet in Paris to discuss Ukraine’s position in case of a ceasefire.
On 20 March, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the Western countries “were coming together,” for the coalition of Western countries to secure a potential ceasefire for Ukraine. This comes after 20-25 senior international military figures focused on turning “political intentions” into reality. Starmer said: “Whether that's in relation to what might happen at sea or air or defending borders, those plans are coming together.”
On 20 March, Senior military officials from over 25 countries held a meeting in London to plan for deploying a peacekeeping force in Ukraine as part of the “coalition of the willing.” The UK and France are at the forefront of the initiative would focus on ensuring the safety of Ukraine’s skies, seas and borders. Starmer stressed on the urgency of being prepared to act quickly if Ukraine and Russia reach a peace agreement. They also discussed on the logistical support, backfilling forces and military resources.
On 20 March, at the EU summit, except Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban
all affirmed their support for Ukraine. Orban has refused to vouch for EU statements earlier as well and continues to bar the aid packages and sanctions. However, Hungary lacks the power to block the EU defence package or its military spending expansion.
On 20 March, Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz stressed Europe’s need to continue its strong support to Ukraine. During the meeting with the EU leaders, he stressed the need for Ukraine to maintain its military capabilities even at peacetime. Scholz highlighted Germany’s newly agreed debt package, EUR three billion in military aid for Ukraine once approved by the upper house of parliament. With his tenure nearing its end. this summit is likely to be his last, as conservative leader Friedrich Merz is expected to succeed him before the next EU gathering in June.
On 19 March, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that the US stepping in to manage Ukraine’s nuclear plants would help in maintaining the ceasefire. In an interview with Fox News, he said: “If it was helpful to achieve that end, have the US run nuclear power plants in Ukraine. No problem, we can do that.” On the question of how the US would do, he cited its sound technical expertise to manage without being present on the ground.
On 19 March, Deutsche Welle released a documentary called “Inside Zaporizhzhia” amid the discussions between US President Donald Trump and Zelenskyy. This comes after Trump offered to take control of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants and one of which is Zaporizhzhia, the largest one in Europe located in southern Ukraine. Since the war began, the nuclear power plant has been subject to several crossfires with damages to infrastructure, and power supply raising concerns on the possibility of nuclear disaster. The documentary gives insights into the experiences of the power plant employees and the predictable consequences of Russian occupation.
On 19 March, in response to Putin’s agreement to only a partial ceasefire, EU’s Foreign Policy Chief, Kaja Kallas criticised Putin for not wanting to make concessions and declining the 30-day ceasefire deal. She said: “What Russia wants is that Ukraine will let all the guards down…If they achieve that no military aid to Ukraine, then they are free to continue, because the Ukrainians can't defend themselves. So I mean, clearly this can't work.” She also proposed to give two million rounds of artillery ammunition to Ukraine worth EUR five billion. She intends to present the’ plan in the upcoming European Council meeting.
On 19 March, in a joint press conference, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb with Zelenskyy stressed that Russia should accept a ceasefire with Ukraine “without conditions.” He said: “There are only two ways to respond to the proposal of the President of the United States: yes or no... but no conditions.”