For today, links to seven reports: from the Kyiv Independent, the Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse, Kyiv Post, and Tass, and to an article of commentary from Substack via ScheerPost; others or at least headlines for others are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (IRAN, SYRIA, WEST BANK, LEBANON and GAZA entries for this date are HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE, or scroll up. UKRAINE 3-16-25 entry is HERE, or scroll down.) — MCM
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Zelensky signs law permitting Ukrainian troops to operate abroad during martial law, by Tim Zadorozhnyy | The Kyiv Independent President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a law allowing Ukraine’s Armed Forces to be sent abroad during martial law, according to an official decree published today. The law aims to enhance defense cooperation . . . READ MORE . . .
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Putin and Trump will speak on Tuesday about war in Ukraine, Kremlin confirms, by Chris Megerian | AP WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said he would speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday as he pushes to end the war in Ukraine. READ MORE . . . Click HERE for report from Reuters.
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FROM MARCH 16 U.S. hints at Ukraine concessions ahead of Trump-Putin call. From AFP. U.S. officials on Sunday expressed optimism that a Ukraine-Russia ceasefire deal could be reached in “weeks,” but also hinted strongly that Ukraine will likely have to make some major concessions if a deal is to be reached. READ MORE . . .
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Russia seeks civilian monitors in Ukraine as part of peace deal. From Kyiv Post. Russia doesn’t want potential peace agreement monitors in Ukraine to be armed. Also, according to Russian media, for a peace agreement, Ukraine should be “neutral” and . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM MARCH 16 Russia says evacuated over 350 civilians from retaken areas in Kursk Region. From AFP. Russia on Sunday said it has moved to safety 371 of its civilians from areas it retook from Ukrainian forces in its border Kursk region. They had become . . . READ MORE . . .
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EU approves payment of 3.5 bln euros to Kiev as part of macrofinancial assistance program. From Tass. BRUSSELS — The Council of the European Union has approved the payment of 3.5 billion euros to Ukraine under a macrofinancial assistance program known as the Ukraine Facilty, according to a statement. “With this third disbursement . . . READ MORE . . .
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FROM MARCH 14 Collapsing empire: ‘NATO is dead,’ by Kit Klarenberg | Substack / ScheerPost On March 3, Timothy Ash of elite British state-connected ‘defence’ think tank Chatham House made a series of startling proclamations in an interview with Bloomberg — following the very public Feb. 28 Oval Office fallout between Volodomyr Zelensky and Donald Trump. READ MORE . . .
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