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The UK is accelerating military planning to support Ukraine, considering all options, including ground troops, following discussions with a 31-country coalition. Thousands of troops would be needed for any deployment, encompassing sea, land, and air operations. Intensive planning will involve potentially redeploying British troops from existing commitments, with other nations filling those positions. This planning precedes a Paris meeting of the coalition, aiming to prepare for all eventualities, including peacekeeping operations should a peace agreement be reached.
On March 22nd, tens of thousands of protestors across France rallied against the rise of the far-right, citing concerns about both domestic and international influences. Demonstrations, particularly in Paris, saw clashes with police, resulting in arrests and injuries. Protestors voiced alarm over the growing acceptance of far-right ideologies within the French government and connected this trend to similar movements in the United States. The rallies highlighted a broader concern over increasing racism and anti-Semitism in France.
In a March 19th address to the Italian Chamber of Deputies, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni urged extending NATO’s Article 5 collective defense guarantee to Ukraine as a means of testing Russia’s commitment to peace. This proposal, previously suggested on March 6th, would offer defensive security without full NATO membership. Meloni’s suggestion contrasts with the U.S.’s preference for European-led peacekeeping forces and highlights Italy’s independent approach to the ongoing conflict, despite growing European support for increased Ukrainian security. This proposal, she stated, should be part of ongoing negotiations.
Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly expressed confidence in Canada’s ability to overcome the trade war initiated by US tariffs, emphasizing Canada’s significant purchasing power from the US. She highlighted the interconnectedness of the economies, suggesting that American consumers, also impacted by increased prices, hold considerable influence in resolving the conflict. Joly further noted that the upcoming Canadian federal election will center on the government’s response to Trump’s trade actions and the potential for reciprocal tariffs. The Liberal party seeks a mandate to navigate this trade dispute effectively.
During a meeting in Pyongyang, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un voiced unwavering support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine, reaffirming a mutual defense treaty with Russia. This support was conveyed to Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu, who delivered a message from President Putin. Discussions encompassed various geopolitical issues, including the security situation on the Korean Peninsula. The meeting follows South Korean intelligence suggesting North Korean troop deployments to aid Russia in the conflict.
Kazakhstan’s ambitious wildlife conservation program is successfully reintroducing extinct or critically endangered species. Hungary’s contribution of 150 Przewalski’s horses bolsters this effort, with the first seven already released. Simultaneously, the reintroduction of the Turanian tiger is underway, supported by habitat restoration and the arrival of tigers from the Netherlands and expected from Russia. Furthermore, snow leopard numbers have doubled since the 1990s, thanks to expanded protected areas and advanced monitoring techniques.
Steve Witkoff, Donald Trump’s envoy, reported favorably on his meetings with Vladimir Putin, describing him as honest and open, a sentiment seemingly shared by Tucker Carlson. Witkoff, tasked with restoring US-Russia relations, emphasized Putin’s desire for dialogue and criticized the Biden administration’s lack thereof. Witkoff relayed Putin’s concerns about encircled Ukrainian troops, while also stating that a potential peace agreement would likely preclude Ukraine’s NATO membership. He further noted Putin’s reported prayers for Trump after an assassination attempt, highlighting a personal connection between the two.
China has proposed to the EU its participation in a potential peacekeeping force in Ukraine, suggesting that Russia might be more receptive to such a mission with Chinese involvement. This proposal, discussed by Chinese diplomats in Brussels, is considered sensitive, but could strengthen a “coalition of the willing,” potentially exceeding 30 countries. A summit next Thursday, hosted by France, will focus on renewed support for Ukraine, including the possible deployment of peacekeepers contingent on a ceasefire. However, Ukraine itself is working to unify differing approaches to the composition and deployment of any such contingent.
President Putin’s decree ordering Ukrainians’ departure from occupied and Russian territories by September 10th is a violation of international law, according to Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi. This action, deemed part of a genocidal policy, forces Ukrainians to either accept Russian citizenship or face deportation, furthering Russia’s Russification efforts. The decree also mandates medical screenings for those in occupied territories, adding another layer to the campaign of persecution and forced displacement. This move directly contradicts Russia’s claims of seeking a peaceful settlement and underscores its intent to destroy Ukrainian statehood.
John Q. Hosedrinker