For today, links to seven reports: from Reuters, the Kyiv Independent, National Public Radio, the Moscow Times, Kyiv Post, and Tass, and to commentary from Indian Punchline; other reports or headlines are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (IRAN, LEBANON, WEST BANK, GAZA and SYRIA entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up.  UKRAINE 3-12-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM

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Kremlin says U.S.-proposed truce would merely give relief to Ukraine’s military, by Guy Faulconbridge and Andrew Osborn | Reuters  MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin’s top foreign policy aide said today that he had told Washington that a 30-day ceasefire proposed by the United States to pause the war in Ukraine would simply give Kyiv’s forces a respite. READ MORE . . .  Click HERE for report from the Kyiv Independent.

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U.S. delegation heads to Moscow after Ukraine agrees to 30-day ceasefire. Reported by Charles Maynes and Michel Martin | NPR  The U.S. resumed Ukraine military aid and intelligence sharing after Kyiv agreed to a 30-day ceasefire. Now, a U.S. delegation is heading to Moscow for talks, hoping they accept terms of the proposal. Click HERE to listen and, later, read, and HERE for March 12 report from NPR.

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Russian army liberates Sudzha in Kursk border region. From the Moscow Times. Russia’s Defense Ministry saidtoday its troops regained control over the town of Sudzha in the Kursk border region after seven months under Ukrainian control. READ MORE . .. .  Click HERE for report from Tass.

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Putin on Ukrainian POWs in Kursk: ‘We must treat them as terrorists.’ From Kyiv Post. Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that all Ukrainian soldiers captured in Kursk Oblast should be treated “as terrorists” during his first visit to the region since Ukrainian forces began operations there in August 2024. Moments later, he added . . . READ MORE . . .

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Trump invites Putin to a roller coaster ride, by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline  The political optics of the joint statement issued after the U.S.-Ukrainian talks at Jeddah on Tuesday lasting nine hours is hard to tell since President Donald Trump prides himself on his ability to strike deals. READ MORE . . .

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