Photo : Ludovic Marin/AP Photo/picture
Photo : Ludovic Marin/AP Photo/picture
By Padmashre Anandhan
WAR ON GROUND
On 27 March, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after his meeting with France’s President Emmanuel Macron, said: “I believe that Witkoff indeed very frequently quotes Kremlin narratives... do not bring us closer to peace" and "will weaken American pressure on Russia.” He also expressed uncertainty over Russia’s ceasefire commitment and reiterated Ukraine’s membership into NATO as a future security option. After the summit, in response to the proposal of the UK and France, Zelenskyy expressed his doubts over the benefit of the “reassurance force.” He said: “What it can do, how it can be used, who will be in charge of it — there are many questions. So far, there are few answers.” On the continuing Russian attacks on civil infrastructure Zelenskyy added: “Russia does not want any kind of peace... He really wants to divide Europe and America. Putin really wants that.”
On 27 March, Ukraine officials reported on Russian drones strikes on Kharkiv injuring close to 15 and causing severe damage. Kharkiv’s military governor, Oleh Syniehubov confirmed that eight were injured in Kharkiv city and seven more in Zolochiv village. According to the Mayor, more than 12 drones strikes took place in the city. There were also strikes reported in Dnipro, although no casualties were reported.
On 27 March, South Korea's military said that North Korea had sent 3,000 more troops to Russia in 2024. According to the report, North Korea also continues to aid Russia through artillery and ammunition. In the report: “In addition to manpower, North Korea continues to supply missiles, artillery equipment, and ammunition.” Both Russian and North Korea are yet to confirm the troop deployment. Analysts also warn the possibility of North Korea testing weapons to send to Russia.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 27 March, Russia’s Defence Ministry reported on Ukraine targeting a transformer substation in the Bryansk Oblast. It claimed on destroying the drone that targeted a energy facility in Crimea. The claims were not independently verified. The attacks continue despite a ceasefire agreement.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 27 March, Macron stated his call with US President Donald Trump ahead of the summit. The call focused on strengthening Ukraine with no detailed reports. During the summit, Macron announced “reassurance force” along with several European countries which is intended to protect Ukraine in a potential ceasefire. However this is only at the planning stage and some members like Germany are yet to agree to the plan. He said: "It is not unanimous," he said, adding that "we do not need unanimity to achieve it." He also announced on forming a “British-French” military delegation to counsel Ukraine on boosting its army. He also stressed on how Europe henceforth has to go alone as US support to Ukraine have weakened. He recalled how Europe is now more “united, audacious and determined than before.” He added: “Europe must be prepared in case America is not with us, and if that means we have to act alone.” While Germany’s outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz disagreed to relaxing sanction on Russia which was pushed by the US and also remained watchful of France-UK plan of deploying European forces in Ukraine. He said: “Concentrating on what is immediately at hand,” indicating continuing military support for Ukraine.
On the same day, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that Europe was willing to enforce a peace deal for Ukraine. He said: “...will work together to ensure Ukraine's security so it can defend and deter against the future.” Aligning with Macron’s announcement for a British-French strategy, he said that the plan would help Ukraine’s military get ready for future attacks in case of a peace deal.
On 27 March, according to a report in a think tank Ember, the EU’s dependence on Russian gas increased by 18 per cent during 2024. This includes both pipeline and liquefied natural gas (LNG). After war began in 2022, the EU sanctioned Russia’s coal and oil. Although the EU wants to phase out of Russian gas by 2027, it is not uniform across the bloc. According to the report, Italy, France and the Czech Republic were found to have boosted Russian gas imports. Ember analyst Pawel Czyzak said: “It is a scandal that the EU is still importing Russian gas.”
On 27 March, in the summit held in Paris for Ukraine, 26 European leaders took part and held meeting with Zelenskyy. This includes, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, NATO's Secretary General Mark Rutte and Germany's caretaker Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
References
Sonya Bandouil, “Russian drone attack on Kharkiv injures 9,” The Kyiv Independent, 27 March 2025
Pawel Czyzak, Nolan Theisen, and Tatiana Mindekova, “The final push for EU Russian gas phase-out,” ember-energy.org, 27 March 2025
Kim Tong-Hyung, “North Korea sent 3,000 more troops to Russia, according to South’s assessment,” Associated Press, 27 March 2025
“France and Britain will lead mission to support a future Ukrainian peace deal, Macron says,” France 24, 27 March 2025
Aurelien Breeden, “European Leaders Try to Hammer Out Ukraine Support Plans,” The New York Times, 27 March 2025
Burc Eruygur, “Russia accuses Ukraine of 'continuing' to breach pause on strikes against energy facilities,” Anadolu Agency, 27 March 2025
James Gregory and Laura Gozzi, “Starmer accuses Putin of 'playing games' over Ukraine peace deal,” BBC, 27 March 2025