Following a tense Oval Office meeting, US and Ukrainian officials met in Jeddah to attempt to repair relations and discuss peace. The talks, attended by Senators Rubio and Waltz, yielded no immediate public statements beyond expressions of hope for constructive outcomes. Ukraine’s recent drone attacks on Moscow, while seemingly undermining peace efforts, were arguably intended to strengthen their negotiating position. Simultaneously, growing distrust among Ukrainians toward the US administration’s perceived pro-negotiation stance with Russia fueled concerns over the potential concessions Ukraine might be pressured to make.
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A massive drone attack targeting multiple regions of Russia, including Moscow, occurred on March 11, marking the largest such attack since the war began. Russian authorities reported intercepting 337 drones, with significant damage to infrastructure and casualties in Moscow Oblast. The attack, which coincided with peace talks discussions, involved strikes on military and industrial targets and resulted in temporary flight restrictions at Moscow airports. While Ukrainian officials have not yet commented, the attack is considered a significant escalation of the conflict.
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A massive drone attack on Moscow, the largest since the war began, involved over 337 drones targeting the capital region, resulting in two deaths and significant infrastructure damage. This attack, launched just hours before peace talks in Saudi Arabia, was interpreted by a Ukrainian official as a signal to President Putin to accept a ceasefire. The attack disrupted Moscow’s airports and inflicted damage on residential buildings and other infrastructure. Ukraine routinely targets Russian infrastructure, but this unprecedented scale underscores Kyiv’s ongoing efforts and may influence the upcoming negotiations.
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President Trump now asserts that neither Russia nor Ukraine holds advantageous negotiating positions in the ongoing conflict, contradicting his previous assessment that Russia possessed the upper hand. He stressed the urgency of ending the war through negotiation and expressed optimism regarding the current talks in Saudi Arabia, predicting potentially significant developments this week. Trump also anticipates a US-Ukraine minerals agreement and the possible resumption of US intelligence sharing with Ukraine. His shifting perspective contrasts sharply with earlier statements favoring Russia’s negotiating power.
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A memorandum of understanding between Ukraine and Diehl Defence, the IRIS-T system manufacturer, has been signed. This agreement significantly expands Ukraine’s air defense capabilities by tripling the supply of missiles and systems. The increased supply builds upon Germany’s previous commitment of 17 IRIS-T systems, a crucial component of Ukraine’s air defense network. This collaboration ensures continued protection of Ukrainian cities and skies against aerial threats. The agreement facilitates substantial industrial projects to further enhance Ukraine’s defensive prowess.
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Following Senator Mark Kelly’s account of his trip to Ukraine and his emphasis on continued support for the nation’s security, Elon Musk labeled him a “traitor” on X. Kelly, a former astronaut, retorted, criticizing Musk’s lack of understanding regarding the importance of defending freedom. He further dismissed Musk as unserious, accusing him of prioritizing billionaire interests over the American people. The exchange highlights growing tensions surrounding US-Ukraine relations and differing opinions on the level of American support for Ukraine.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio asserted that Ukrainian territorial concessions from areas seized by Russia since 2014 would be necessary for a peace agreement, emphasizing that both sides must compromise for a resolution. He highlighted the lack of a purely military solution, acknowledging the difficulty for either side to achieve complete victory. Rubio’s statements came ahead of Saudi Arabian negotiations involving Ukrainian and US officials, where future US military aid to Ukraine will be discussed, contingent upon a demonstrated commitment to peace from Ukraine. The US delegation, including Rubio, will engage with the Ukrainian team, led by Andriy Yermak and Rustem Umerov.
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Elon Musk attributed a massive outage on his social media platform, X, to a cyberattack originating from the Ukraine area. While Musk did not offer concrete evidence, experts cast doubt on Ukrainian government involvement, suggesting Russia may be responsible for the attack to discredit Ukraine before crucial peace talks. The timing of the attack, coinciding with these talks and following a US halt on offensive cyber operations against Russia, points towards a deliberate attempt to disrupt negotiations. Thousands of users reported issues with X throughout the day, though Musk later claimed the platform was restored.
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Following a recent Oval Office meeting, Prime Minister Starmer spoke with President Trump regarding the resumption of U.S. aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Trump indicated a near-resolution to the suspension, though specifics remain undisclosed. Starmer, aiming to balance support for a Ukrainian peace deal with U.S. relations, is convening a second virtual meeting of countries prepared to offer military support for a ceasefire. This Saturday’s meeting will further develop a “coalition of the willing” and bolster efforts toward peace while securing crucial U.S. security guarantees.
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Following Australian Prime Minister Albanese’s suggestion of Australian troops joining a Ukraine peacekeeping coalition, the Russian embassy in Canberra issued a stern warning of “grave consequences.” This warning, framed as a preventative measure rather than a threat, underscores Russia’s opposition to Western military presence in Ukraine. The embassy views such a deployment as undermining peace efforts and alleges Australia is prolonging the conflict. Conversely, opposition leader Peter Dutton and other prominent figures have voiced their opposition to sending Australian troops to Ukraine.
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John Q. Hosedrinker