Photo : Sputnik/Kirill Zykov
Photo : Sputnik/Kirill Zykov
By Padmashree Anandhan
WAR ON GROUND
On 28 March, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed, receiving a proposal from the US for exchanging minerals in return for military aid. Although no further details of the deal were disclosed, according to him, it was different from the previous drafts. Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrdenko said: “…working to ensure that the agreement reflects all our interests.” This comes as the latest draft provided by the US is considered to be more expansive with no assured, future security guarantees for Ukraine.
On 28 March, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, a government agency, reported on Ukraine receiving bodies of 909 soldiers who were killed during the battles across Donetsk, Lugansk, and Zaporizhzhia regions. The repatriation is the seventh since October 2024. Although, according to Zelenskyy, there were more than 46,000 troops and more than 3,80,000 wounded or killed during the war.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 28 March, Russia’s presidential press, secretary Dmitry Peskov accused Europe of continuing sanctions and barring peace efforts. He said: "If the European states do not want to take this path, it means that they do not want to take the path of peace.” This comes as Russia demands renewed access to the Swift International system for its agricultural bank, which in turn would help with its grain and fertilizer exports. However, the EU has stressed keeping the sanctions until the war ends.
On 28 March, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a call with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on securing the Black Sea and reviving the grain deal. The same was confirmed by the Kremlin: "The resumption of the Black Sea initiative for safe navigation and the removal of obstacles to the export of Russian food and fertilizers." Earlier, Russia and Ukraine agreed on a ceasefire over the Black Sea, but Russia conditioned that only on removal of restrictions on its agricultural imports, would be the deal. Following the meeting, Erdogan announced holding future talks to end the war and also stated to make efforts to “host peace negotiations.”
On 25 March, Putin suggested bringing Ukraine under a UN-sponsored "transitional administration" to oversee elections ahead of peace agreement negotiations. He said: "This would be to hold democratic elections and bring to power a capable government enjoying the trust of the people and then to start talks with them about a peace treaty.” He also appreciated the efforts of the US president, Donald Trump, to end the conflict. He also praised the Russian troops for “holding the strategic initiative throughout the war.”
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 28 March, in response to Putin, calling for an election in Ukraine, the White House responded that it was up to Ukraine and its constitution to govern. As per Ukraine’s constitution, the elections are not held during wartime but couldn’t suggest for a UN lead election in Ukraine. On the same day, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that high-level talks between the US and Russia are still at a premature stage, and on the negotiations, he said that there was no time frame for ending the war.
References
“Ukraine Receives Bodies of 909 Fallen Soldiers,” MILITARNYI, 28 March 2025
Zelenskyy says no to any US minerals deal that might risk Ukraine’s EU bid,” Politico, 29 March 2025
“Türkiye open to backing revival of Black Sea Grain Initiative – Kremlin,” RT, 28 March 2025
“Key points from Putin’s speech on placing Ukraine under UN control,” RT, 28 March 2025
Lara Bullens and Joanna York, “Ukraine received new, 'entirely different' version of US minerals deal, Zelensky says," France24, 28 March 2025
“U.S. says Ukraine determines own governance after Putin suggests temporary administration,” CBC News, 28 March 2025
Constant Méheut, “U.S. Revives Tough Demands in Reworked Deal for Ukraine’s Minerals,” The New York Times, 28 March 2025