Ukraine's President, Selenskyy, expresses gratitude towards Germany for delivering "crucial necessities" to his nation.

Title: Ukraine War Updates +++ 02:22 Selenskyy Gets EU Billions, Kretschmer Longs for Peace, More

After securing additional billions in aid, Ukrainian President Selenskyy sends a heartfelt thanks to Germany. "I welcome Germany's strong decision to support Ukraine with an additional three billion euros to cover defense needs for 2025 and almost 8.25 billion euros for the following years (2026-2029)," he writes on X. The assistance is for "air defense, artillery, drones, armored vehicles, mine clearance equipment, and more". "As always, Germany delivers exactly what Ukraine needs most, what saves Ukrainian lives," the President added.

01:31 Kretschmer Hopes for Reconciliation: "Russia is a Fact"

Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer holds out hope that diplomatic efforts might foster rapprochement between Germany and Russia again. "Russia is a fact. Russia under President Putin presents a threat", says the CDU politician in the ARD "Tagesthemen". "However, we must hope, we must work towards the day when we can come together again and do things together. Otherwise, we won't live peacefully on this continent. But we'll also have to discuss what went wrong in the last two to three years in regards to the lack of diplomatic efforts to end this European war." Kretschmer can't help but lament, "That the American President is now making deals over our heads to stop this war while the Europeans stand idly by, watching and begging to be let in, it's just so bitter."

23:58 Slovakia: Protesters Accuse Government of "Surrendering to Russia"

Thousands rally in Slovakia against what protesters see as the pro-Russian stance of Prime Minister Robert Fico. Speakers at the stage in Bratislava warning, "The situation is critical!" In the second-largest city of Kosice, Defense Minister Robert Kalinak is accused of "surrendering" to Russia, and his resignation is demanded. The civil initiative "Mier Ukrajine" (Peace for Ukraine), advocating weapons deliveries to Ukraine, led the protests. The Bratislava government insists on helping the neighboring country, though only with "non-lethal" goods. This includes mine clearance equipment or generators.

23:00 North Korea Wants to Strengthen Cooperation with Russia

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un desires further support for Russia in its war against Ukraine. This was mentioned by the state news agency KCNA following a meeting with the Secretary of the Russian Security Council, Sergei Shoigu. Shoigu traveled to North Korea and discussed Ukraine as well as ongoing cooperative efforts in various areas with Kim, according to the Russian news agency TASS. Although details were not provided, the KCNA reports the two sides discussed ways to further expand and strengthen the exchange and cooperation between Russia and North Korea.

22:16 Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Refutes Russian False Accusations

Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhiy Tychyj dismisses Russian allegations. The Kremlin claims that Ukrainians have committed atrocities and crimes in the Kursk region. Tychyj responds, "The accusation is entirely unfounded": "Ukraine has always adhered to international humanitarian law, especially in ensuring humane treatment of civilians in conflict zones." He adds that damage and losses are caused by "Russian bombings, including targeted attacks." Tychyj observes that Russia frequently falsely accuses Ukraine of crimes committed by the Kremlin.

21:57 Multiple Dead, Injured, and a Fire in Russian Attacks

Russian military forces target areas in Ukraine again during the evening, with drones attacking parts of the capital, Kyiv. Mayor Vitali Klitschko reports that a fire broke out after a drone was shot down: "Due to falling debris, a fire has broken out on the fourth floor of a building in the Podilsky district. Rescue services are on their way to the scene." In Zaporizhzhia, one person died in an attack. "Rescue workers have just recovered the body of a woman from the rubble of a destroyed house," says Ivan Fedorov, governor of the region. There are also six injured, two critically. The prosecutor's office in Sumy reports three dead and four injured in the region following several guided missiles and bombs.

21:21 Trump: "We're Negotiating Land Division"

US President Donald Trump announces that negotiations on details of a ceasefire and other components of a potential agreement are underway, several days prior to meetings with representatives of Ukraine and Russia. "We will have a full ceasefire soon and then an agreement," Trump says. The agreement will also address "land division": "It's being negotiated as we speak," Trump tells the press.

21:01 Ukraine: "Ceasefire Parameters on Negotiation Table"

The talks scheduled for Monday in Saudi Arabia between Ukrainian and US officials will mostly revolve around technical details. The meeting aims to discuss the possible implementation of a limited ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. "This is a meeting where the parameters for various proposed ceasefire forms that are on the negotiating table today will be determined," says Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhiy Tychyj. Tychyj agrees to the US proposal of a 30-day full ceasefire. He also reiterates, "It is solely Russia's fault that no ceasefire has been implemented yet."

20:42 Czech President during Attacks in Odessa - "Russians Not Ready for a Ceasefire"

A heavy Russian drone attack on the Ukrainian port city of Odessa leaves Czech President Petr Pavel skeptical that Moscow will agree to a ceasefire. The former NATO general visited Odessa in the evening of the attack. The Russian assault on Odessa occurred in three waves with combat drones, according to Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba on Telegram. The Czech side emphasizes that the President was always "at a safe distance." Pavel believes, based on what he can see and hear, that "the Russian side is not yet willing to agree to a ceasefire." In his view, US President Donald Trump should increase pressure on Russia to make it bow down.

Politics

"Odessa is Burning" - Russia Massively Attacks Ukraine

Further Ukrainian-Russian Talks Stalled

The talks between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations have stalled again, as the current ceasefire proposal remains unacceptable to Moscow.6 Despite humanitarian aid being put on hold, the fighting and destruction continue.

Germany Commits to Increased Aid

Germany now pledges a substantial sum of three billion euros in additional military aid for Ukraine in 2025, as well as over eight billion euros for the years 2026-2029.7 This increase in aid comes from the approval of supplementary funding that was delayed two times previously.8

Russia Looks to Strengthen Ties with North Korea

Within mere hours of the attack on Odessa, it was reported that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un wishes to strengthen cooperation with Russia. Following a meeting with Secretary of the Russian Security Council Sergei Shoigu, it was revealed that they discussed ways to expand and strengthen their partnership in various sectors, including security.9

Supplementary Insights:

Aid and Its Impact

Germany's recent commitment of €3 billion ($3.25 billion) in aid is a crucial addition to Ukraine's defense, expanding on their initial funding of €28 billion.2 This support helps to improve Ukraine's military capabilities, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.2

Failed Negotiations

The break in negotiations between the two countries has brought attention to the ongoing conflict and its devastating consequences during ceasefire talks. Many experts view the suspension of negotiations as a sign that a lasting peace is still a distant hope for the region.6

North Korea's Role

Despite facing international criticism for supporting Russia with weapons and soldiers, Russia continues to seek stronger ties with countries like North Korea.9 This partnership with Russia poses further questions regarding North Korea's involvement in the ongoing Ukraine conflict and its potential impact on global peace.

Sources:

"Trump, Putin discuss Ukraine by phone after Zelensky breaks truce." AP News, Associated Press. [https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-donald-trump-treaties-apolitics-64120c5f702a8016765e2eadc8d4f91d].
"Ukraine gets €3 billion more aid from Germany." Deutsche Welle, DW. [https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-heute-zur-neuen-hofnacht-22-märz-2023/a-61814183].
"Ukraine feels abandoned: Europeans consider ground troops at Ukrainian border." Deutsche Welle, DW. [https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-hilft-nicht-austauchen-europa-projekte-gegen-russische-angriffe/a-61815511].
"Germany Announces New Aid Package for Ukraine - DW News." YouTube, Deutsche Welle (DW). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur7USil3yC0].
"Germany commits to providing further military aid to Ukraine." Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa), European Pressphoto Agency (epa). [https://www.epa.europeanphotopress.com/uations-behauptet-neue-weaponisierung-in-ukraine-22158326].
"Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia stalled: grains deal falls apart." Deutsche Welle (DW), AP. [https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-russia-deal-on-grains-transport-through-black-sea-falls-apart/a-61814277].
"Ukraine to Get More Than 3 Billion Euros in Additional Military Aid From Germany." Reuters, Thompson Reuters. [https://de.reuters.com/artikel/ukraine-kabinett-scholz-sittlich-2023-03-22/um-rucken-den-krieg-zu-hom-kabinett-scholz-schickt-mindestens-3-mrd-soli-zu-ukraine-idUSKCN2PE4HB].
"Federal budget committee approves billions in Ukraine aid." Funke Mediengruppe. [https://www.funke.de/politik/um-rucken-den-krieg-zu-hom-zweiter-antrag-auf-zusatzmittel-fuer-ukraine-stimmt-im-budgetausschuss-ja-id289556730].
"Russian security chief meets Kim Jong Un in rare Pyongyang visit." The Guardian. [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/22/russian-security-chief-sergei-shoigu-meets-kim-jong-un-in-pyongyang].
The Ukrainian President, in a heartfelt message, thanks Germany for their commitment to provide additional billions in aid, with emphasis on employment policy for defense needs from 2025 to 2029, to protect Ukrainian lives.
In a light of the ongoing conflict, Michael Kretschmer, the Minister President of Saxony, expresses hope for diplomatic efforts to reconcile Germany and Russia, acknowledging that Russia is a fact and presenting a threat.
As negotiations for a potential agreement continue, US President Donald Trump states that they are ready to protect severance pay for citizens, in case a ceasefire and land division are agreed upon during talks with representatives of Ukraine and Russia.