Trump and Putin’s secret phone calls | Ukraine This Week

6:38 AM

Ukraine, Russia may prolong war instead of finalizing bad peace deal, US intelligence assessment finds.

Ukraine and Russia may see a greater incentive to prolong war instead of settling for an unfavourable peace deal, an unclassified U.S. intelligence assessment published March 25 found.

5:03 AM

Zelensky accuses Russia of manipulating conditions for Black Sea ceasefire.

"We see how the Russians have already started to manipulate. They are already trying to distort the agreements and actually deceive our mediators and the whole world," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on March 25.

3:58 AM

US considering lifting some sanctions to secure Black Sea ceasefire, Trump says.

The United States is "looking at" lifting additional sanctions on Russia in order to secure a Black Sea ceasefire agreement, U.S. President Donald Trump said on March 25.

1:50 AM

Russia rejects calls to return Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry announced on March 25 that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant is a Russian facility and cannot be transferred to Ukraine or any other country.

12:19 AM

Ukraine to dissolve gambling regulator, create new agency to oversee industry.

A new state agency, PlayCity, will aim to digitize gambling business licensing and strengthen oversight of the industry.

11:23 PM

Business

‘Not what Ukraine needs’ — Black Sea ceasefire favors Russia more than Ukraine, say experts

11:06 PM

US proposed new version of minerals deal to Ukraine, Zelensky says.

"After the framework deal, a full agreement is being developed. Now the U.S. has offered us a 'major' deal, their vision (of the deal)," Zelensky said.

10:49 PM

War analysis

Russia’s sham ‘referendums’ at gunpoint are null and void, despite Steve Witkoff’s comments

10:27 PM

Russia ramps up attacks near Pokrovsk, Ukrainian military says.

"Recently, they (Russian soldiers) have become more active. We have successfully repelled the assaults, we are holding the line, but the enemy is trying to break through our defense line and reach our positions and gain a foothold in some positions daily," said Mykola Koval, the spokesperson of Ukraine's National Guard's Chervona Kalyna brigade.

10:23 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Black Sea ceasefire will take effect after some sanctions are lifted, Kremlin claims.

10:12 PM

Ukraine Reforms Tracker Weekly — Issue 19

9:50 PM

Kremlin names energy facilities exempt from strikes during partial ceasefire.

According to the Kremlin, the list includes oil refineries, as well as oil and gas pipelines and storage facilities, including pumping stations.

9:50 PM

When ho(us)e becomes ho(me) (PHOTOS)

8:29 PM

Partial ceasefire in Ukraine should start on March 25, Zelensky says.

"We believe that, after Washington makes two official statements... the ceasefire in the sea and the energy ceasefire must come into effect, in (the Americans') opinion," Zelensky said. "Undoubtedly this depends on orders given by the presidents to their military forces."

7:11 PM

Black Sea ceasefire will take effect after some sanctions are lifted, Kremlin says.

The Kremlin said that the Black Sea ceasefire would come into effect after the West lifts the sanctions against Russia's Rosselkhozbank and other financial organizations involved in supporting international food trade operations and restores their connection to the SWIFT messaging system.

6:16 PM

Russia, Ukraine agree to implement ban on energy infrastructure strikes, minister says.

"All parties agreed to implement the presidential agreement on a complete ban on strikes on the energy infrastructure of Ukraine and Russia," Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said.

6:03 PM  (Updated:  March 25, 2025 6:13 pm)

Defense tech

Inside the new drone schools teaching the next generation of Ukrainian UAV pilots

5:23 PM

Russia, Ukraine agree to partial ceasefire in Black Sea, US to help restore Russia's access to markets.

Washington vowed to help restore Russia’s access to the world market for agricultural and fertilizer exports, lower maritime insurance costs, and enhance access to ports and payment systems for such transactions.

4:20 PM  (Updated:  March 25, 2025 4:20 pm)

Putin's 'ceasefire' — Russia continues attacks on Ukrainian civilians

9:07 AM  (Updated:  March 25, 2025 4:18 pm)

Updated: 1 killed, 117 injured in Russian attacks against Ukraine over past day.

Russia launched a devastating missile attack against the northeastern city of Sumy on March 24, just as the U.S. and Russia were leading ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia.

4:09 PM

Moscow blames Ukraine for lack of joint statement after US-Russia talks in Riyadh.

"They sat for 12 hours and seemed to agree on a joint statement, which, however, was not adopted because of Ukraine's position. This is also very typical and symptomatic," Vladimir Chizhov, deputy chairman of the Federation Council Security Committee claimed.

3:55 PM

EU approval among citizens at record level as global security concerns grow, Eurobarometer poll shows.

The survey found that nearly three-quarters (74%) of EU citizens consider their country to have benefited from EU membership.

3:55 PM

Waltz to reportedly discuss Black Sea ceasefire with Russian counterpart on March 25.

U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz is scheduled discuss a possible ceasefire deal in the Black Sea with his Russian counterpart later on March 25, Fox News reported.

3:13 PM

Denmark pledges $140 million to companies investing in Ukraine's defense sector.

Under the new initiative, the Danish government will introduce a state-backed guarantee through the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO).

2:59 PM

Russia backs resuming Black Sea Initiative in more 'acceptable' form, Lavrov says.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed that the issue was the focus of the 12-hour Russian-U.S. talks in Riyadh on March 24.