The U.S. and Russia will hold more talks on ending the war in Ukraine, despite Kyiv’s exclusion and European concerns over U.S. concessions to Moscow. Russia hardened its stance, demanding NATO formally withdraw its 2008 pledge to admit Ukraine.
The meeting in Riyadh brought together U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov for 4.5 hours of talks, marking the first direct U.S.-Russia negotiations on the war.
"A refusal to accept Kyiv into NATO is not enough. The alliance must formally disavow its 2008 Bucharest pledge."
– Maria Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry
Moscow also rejected any form of NATO peacekeeping presence in Ukraine, even under alternative banners such as the European Union.
"This is unacceptable to us."
– Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister
Ukraine and European leaders fear that Trump’s administration may strike a quick deal with Russia at Ukraine’s expense.
"There must be no decision over the heads of Ukraine."
– Olaf Scholz, German Chancellor
"February 2025 shows us that the Americans no longer feel responsible for European security – and that their interests are fundamentally different from ours."
– Jana Puglierin, European Council on Foreign Relations
Both Trump and Putin have expressed interest in a direct meeting, but no date has been set. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts between Washington and Moscow will continue.
"There is high interest in lifting economic barriers," Lavrov said, referring to Western sanctions on Russia.
However, U.S. officials remain cautious, with Rubio stating:
"The European Union will have to be at the table, because they have sanctions as well."
With Ukraine excluded from initial discussions, questions remain over how negotiations will unfold. The U.S. shift in diplomacy raises concerns about the future of NATO, European security, and Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty.
Ukraine's Air Force reported that Russia launched 214 drones in an overnight attack, targeting multiple regions across Ukraine. Air defenses intercepted many of the UAVs, but the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.
A drone attack on the Ukrainian city of Kropyvnytskyi on March 19 caused significant damage to infrastructure, while Ukrainian and Russian forces clashed in various regions.
Russia and Ukraine accused each other of new infrastructure attacks, despite a 30-day ceasefire agreed by President Vladimir Putin. Kyiv reported heavy drone strikes, while Moscow claimed to have intercepted Ukrainian drones. The tensions follow a call between Putin and Donald Trump on the conflict.
Putin has paused energy facility strikes, but a full ceasefire remains elusive. The move signals ongoing tensions, with discussions about a wider peace deal set to begin, leaving questions about Ukraine’s role in the negotiations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on Tuesday to a proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump that Russia and Ukraine cease attacking each other's energy infrastructure for 30 days, the Kremlin said following a lengthy phone discussion between the leaders.
A magnitude 5 earthquake struck Iran’s Natanz region on Friday, shaking a key nuclear facility, though officials confirmed it was unaffected. The tremor caused damage to historical buildings but resulted in no casualties.
Glaciers around the world are melting at an alarming rate, with the last three years seeing the largest mass loss on record, according to a UNESCO report. The accelerated ice loss, driven by climate change, is contributing to rising sea levels.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pledged a $1.4 trillion, 10-year investment framework in the United States, marking a significant milestone in strengthening the economic ties between the two nations following a key meeting with former President Donald Trump.
Tourists in Bali were left stranded at Denpasar International Airport on March 21, 2025, after the eruption of Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano caused flight cancellations and significant travel disruptions.
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams completed an unexpectedly long 286-day mission on the ISS, returning to Earth aboard a SpaceX capsule after delays caused by technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner.
In a groundbreaking study published in Cell on January 18, Chinese researchers have unveiled a novel cancer treatment that ingeniously disguises tumors as pig tissue, triggering the body’s immune system to mount a hyperacute rejection response against the cancer cells.
Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on Tuesday to a proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump that Russia and Ukraine cease attacking each other's energy infrastructure for 30 days, the Kremlin said following a lengthy phone discussion between the leaders.
On March 16, at around 09:45, Armenian armed forces opened fire on Azerbaijani positions located in the direction of the Digh settlement in the Goris region, using firearms, according to Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defence.
Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated on Thursday that purchasing U.S. weapons does not pose a security risk for his country, but emphasized the need for Europe to reduce its reliance on American defense systems. His comments come amid growing discussions within Europe.
Tourists in Bali were left stranded at Denpasar International Airport on March 21, 2025, after the eruption of Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano caused flight cancellations and significant travel disruptions.
The 10th anniversary of the Germanwings A320 crash, which claimed 150 lives in the French Alps, marks a somber moment in aviation history, prompting significant changes in flight safety protocols.
China and South Korea's foreign ministers held talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Tokyo, paving the way for a trilateral meeting aimed at enhancing regional cooperation and addressing key security and economic issues.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to host a summit in Paris on March 27, 2025, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders to discuss strengthening Ukraine's defense, securing short-term military support, and exploring ways to implement a potential ceasefire.
A magnitude 5 earthquake struck Iran’s Natanz region on Friday, shaking a key nuclear facility, though officials confirmed it was unaffected. The tremor caused damage to historical buildings but resulted in no casualties.
Glaciers around the world are melting at an alarming rate, with the last three years seeing the largest mass loss on record, according to a UNESCO report. The accelerated ice loss, driven by climate change, is contributing to rising sea levels.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has pledged a $1.4 trillion, 10-year investment framework in the United States, marking a significant milestone in strengthening the economic ties between the two nations following a key meeting with former President Donald Trump.
Tourists in Bali were left stranded at Denpasar International Airport on March 21, 2025, after the eruption of Lewotobi Laki Laki volcano caused flight cancellations and significant travel disruptions.
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