Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, issued a stark warning against NATO involvement in Ukraine. He denounced proposals by French and British leaders for NATO peacekeeping forces, asserting that such deployment would constitute a declaration of war against Russia. Medvedev’s threat follows a pattern of escalating rhetoric since the start of the Ukraine conflict, including previous pronouncements regarding nuclear weapons. He specifically targeted UK Prime Minister Starmer’s suggestion of a coalition to secure a ceasefire, framing the proposal as support for “neo-Nazis” in Kyiv. This latest threat underscores the heightened tensions surrounding the conflict.
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In a statement marking the anniversary of Russia’s annexation of Crimea, Türkiye reiterated its unwavering support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, explicitly rejecting the illegal 2014 annexation as a violation of international law. Ankara highlighted its ongoing monitoring of the situation in Crimea, particularly concerning the plight of the Crimean Tatars, and its commitment to keeping this issue before the international community. This stance underscores Türkiye’s consistent opposition to Russia’s actions in Crimea, which began with the seizure of key administrative buildings and culminated in a widely condemned referendum and annexation.
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A virtual summit hosted by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer proposed a 10,000-strong multinational peacekeeping force for Ukraine, contingent upon a peace deal with Russia. This coalition, involving at least 35 countries providing various support, aims to secure Ukraine post-conflict. While the U.K. and France are expected to be the largest contributors, some European nations have expressed reservations. Further military talks are scheduled for March 20th to solidify the coalition’s plans.
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IOC President Thomas Bach attributed the controversy surrounding two female boxers at the Paris 2024 Olympics to a Russian disinformation campaign, dismissing it as a “fake news” crisis. The dispute, fueled by the IBA’s criticism of the IOC’s decision to allow the athletes’ participation, stemmed from the IBA’s prior ban based on a chromosome test—a decision Bach deemed irrelevant given the boxers’ long history of competing as women. Bach further emphasized the IOC’s lack of a universal transgender athlete policy, leaving it to individual federations. Finally, Bach expressed confidence in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics’ preparations, citing President Trump’s support and the potential reinstatement of boxing.
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Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi announced that Russian military personnel losses have surpassed 100,000 since the start of 2025. This figure reflects the ongoing success of Ukrainian defense forces in combating Russian troops across the entire front line. Syrskyi attributed this significant loss to the coordinated efforts and professionalism of Ukrainian defenders. The statement was made via a Facebook post.
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Despite initially supporting a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire, President Zelenskyy denounced continued Russian attacks across multiple Ukrainian cities, citing over 2,380 attacks this week alone. He emphasized the need for a “just and lasting peace” secured through sustained international pressure on Russia, including intensified sanctions. Zelenskyy’s statement follows discussions between US and Russian diplomats on ending the conflict and a call from President Putin for Ukrainian troops’ surrender in Kursk. This underscores the ongoing conflict and the challenges in achieving a peaceful resolution.
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Recent large-scale Ukrainian drone strikes targeted multiple Russian cities, including Moscow, impacting oil refineries and military airfields. A significant blow was the attack on a Druzhba pipeline control station, halting oil exports to Central Europe, particularly Hungary, and causing Hungary’s foreign minister to deem it an attack on their sovereignty. This disruption underscores Russia’s reliance on energy exports and its influence over Hungary’s energy sector. Continued Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure could further pressure Russia to negotiate a ceasefire.
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Canada recently committed an additional $34.8 million CAD to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, bringing its total contribution to over $41 million CAD. This funding, alongside a previously disbursed $1.7 billion loan secured from frozen Russian assets, will aid in repairing critical energy infrastructure damaged by Russian attacks. The contribution will specifically support the restoration of energy facilities, ensuring stable energy operations, and bolstering the healthcare sector through solar energy development. International collaboration, including contributions from countries like Iceland and Italy, remains vital in sustaining Ukraine’s energy sector.
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Following Russian objections to his involvement, General Keith Kellogg’s role as special envoy has been adjusted. He will now focus solely on Ukraine, maintaining his direct relationship with President Zelenskyy. Russian officials reportedly deemed Kellogg overly sympathetic to Kyiv, leading to his exclusion from recent high-level discussions, including a Saudi Arabia meeting where a 30-day ceasefire was tentatively agreed upon. Despite this agreement, Russian President Putin subsequently expressed reservations about the ceasefire proposal.
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Following a virtual summit of the “coalition of the willing,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer deemed Russia’s response to a US-proposed Ukraine ceasefire insufficient. The coalition, comprising approximately 25 nations, agreed to maintain military aid to Ukraine and economic pressure on Russia to force negotiations. Military leaders from Ukraine’s allies will meet in the UK to prepare for a potential peace deal and guarantee Ukraine’s security. Despite Russia’s ambiguous response and ongoing military actions, including recent territorial gains in Kursk, the coalition remains committed to achieving a lasting peace.
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John Q. Hosedrinker