Thursday, March 6
Russia’s war against Ukraine
Friends and relatives pay their respects during the funeral service for Ukrainian servicemember Vasyl Ratushnyi on March 5, 2025 in Kyiv. Vasyl was killed on Feb. 27, 2025. His brother Roman was a well-known activist who was killed on June 9, 2022. (Paula Bronstein / Getty Images)
US halts intelligence sharing with Ukraine, CIA director confirms. The U.S. has halted intelligence sharing with Kyiv, threatening Ukraine’s ability to strike Russian targets amid the full-scale war, CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed to Fox Business on March 5.
Ukraine natural resources deal not ready as Trump seeks better terms, CBS News reports. The painstakingly negotiated deal was scheduled to be signed on Feb. 28, but that plan was derailed after a public clash between Trump and Zelensky, leaving the agreement’s fate uncertain.
Trump may resume Ukraine aid after further progress toward peace, White House says. U.S. President Donald Trump may lift restrictions on military support for Ukraine once peace talks are arranged and further steps toward confidence-building, White House national security adviser Mike Waltz said on March 5.
Ukraine, US delegations to meet ‘soon’ for negotiations, Zelensky’s top aide says. Ukrainian and American delegations will meet “soon” for peace talks, President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak said on March 5, following discussions with U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
Ukraine, EU drafting plan for first steps toward lasting peace, Zelensky says. Ukraine and Europe are working on a plan for the first steps toward a just and sustainable peace as Russia’s full-scale invasion enters its fourth year, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on March 5.
Your contribution helps keep the Kyiv Independent going. Become a member today.
France, UK to finalize peace plan with Ukraine ‘in days,’ set to present to US, Reuters reports. “We’re looking at putting this plan together in days and not weeks,” a senior European diplomat told Reuters.
Zelensky to take part in special European Council meeting on March 6. President Volodymyr Zelensky will take part in a special meeting of the European Council on March 6, a senior EU official confirmed to the Kyiv Independent.
Ukraine destroys Russian long-range surveillance system, shows combat footage. Ukrainian forces carried out the strike with drones, according to the statement.
Minsk could be best place for trilateral talks between Russia, US, Ukraine, Kremlin says. “This issue has not been brought up or discussed in any way. But, of course, Minsk is the best place for us. It is our main ally, so it is the best place for negotiations,” Dmitriy Peskov said.
Russia jails British volunteer fighting for Ukraine for 19 years. The court sentenced Anderson on “terrorism” and “mercenarism” charges. Russia often portrays foreign volunteers fighting for Ukraine as “mercenaries” and claims they are not entitled to protection as prisoners of war.
Read our exclusives
Trump’s alignment with Russia derails Europe’s push for a peacekeeping force in Ukraine
Without Russia’s approval, the idea is unlikely to be implemented, and there are no indications so far that Trump will pressure Vladimir Putin to approve a European peacekeeping mission.
Photo: Sean Gallup / Getty Images
Trump lifting US sanctions on Russia — a ‘huge win’ for Putin, ‘chaos’ for global economy
The White House is preparing a plan to potentially give Russia sanctions relief for several entities and Russian citizens as part of negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, Reuters reported on March 3.
Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images
How US right-wing podcasters shape pro-Russia, anti-Ukraine sentiments
Listening to right-leaning alternative media in the U.S., one might come away with the impression — albeit without evidence — that Ukraine is irredeemably corrupt, President Volodymyr Zelensky is a dictator, and Russia’s invasion was somehow justified.
Image: The Kyiv Independent/Getty Images
Why doesn’t President Zelensky wear a suit?
“In Trump’s mind, there is no war. Everything has already ended,“ fashion historian Zoya Zvynyatskivska told the Kyiv Independent. “If Zelensky takes off his military-style outfit and puts on a suit, what does that mean? It means he agrees that the war is over.”
Image: The Kyiv Independent/Getty Images
Human cost of Russia’s war
Russian missile attack on hotel in Kryvyi Rih kills 3, injures 31, including child. Fourteen of the injured victims are in serious condition, Governor Serhii Lysak reported the morning after the attack.
Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 2, injure 7 over previous day. Ukraine’s air defense shot down 115 drones over Kharkiv, Sumy, Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Poltava, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Odesa, and Cherkasy oblasts, the Air Force said.
General Staff: Russia has lost 880,660 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022. This number includes 1,250 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
International response
Macron open to extending France’s nuclear protection to European allies amid threat from Russia. “I have decided to start strategic discussions on the defense of the entire continent with our nuclear weapons. The decision will depend on the heads and commanders-in-chief of European countries,” French President Emmanuel Macron said on March 5.
France denies plans for Macron’s visit to Washington with Zelensky, Starmer. President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer might visit Washington as early as next week to present a “united front” on peace in Ukraine, the British tabloid Daily Mail reported on March 5, citing diplomatic sources.
Most French support assistance to Ukraine, sending peacekeepers, poll shows. Some 64% of respondents want France to continue to provide assistance to Ukraine. Meanwhile, 20% of respondents believe that the amount of aid must be increased.
Merz seeks to quickly push through $3.2 billion in German aid for Ukraine. Speaking at a press conference, Friedrich Merz said he is discussing the issue with outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has opposed the package unless funded by additional government borrowing.
Netherlands to provide Ukraine with $3.8 billion in support in 2026. The Netherlands will provide Ukraine with 3.5 billion euros ($3.8 billion) in combined government support in 2026, Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof announced on March 5.
Drone coalition mobilizes over $2 billion to boost Ukraine’s defense, ministry says. An allied initiative, co-headed by the U.K. and Latvia, was launched in January 2024.
EU prepares for new wave of Ukrainian refugees amid Trump uncertainty, Politico reports. EU officials are discussing a unified response in the event of another large influx of refugees from Ukraine amid U.S. policy shifts.
Canada ready to join Ukraine peacekeeping mission with US backing, defense minister says. “We’ve strongly indicated we’re willing to be a part of that, but I still believe it is going to require security guarantees from the United States,” Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair said on March 5.
70% of Americans say Ukraine is not to blame for war with Russia, poll shows. According to the survey, 70% of adults surveyed disagreed with the statement “Ukraine is more to blame for starting the war.” Seven percent agreed.
Vance denies Trump admin’s lack of pressure on Russia. “Well, I don’t think that’s right, actually,” U.S. Vice President JD Vance replied to a journalist who suggested that Washington is exerting pressure on Kyiv but not on Moscow.
‘Stop being Putin’s ho’ — US congresswoman lambasts Trump speech. Trump “is out here really doing the bidding of Russia in a way we’ve never seen an American president do,” U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett said in response to Trump’s congressional address.
How Trump’s Ukraine peace plan could backfire
In other news
Russia launches operation against Islamic State in Dagestan, kills 4, authorities claim. “There were no casualties among the civilian population or losses among law enforcement personnel,” Russia’s National Anti-Terrorism Committee claimed.
Russia’s oil, gas budget revenue in February drops by 18% year-on-year. Oil and gas revenues last month amounted to 771.3 billion rubles ($8.6 billion), a significant drop from 945.6 billion rubles ($10.5 billion) in February 2024 and a moderate decrease in comparison to 789.1 billion rubles ($8.8 billion) in January.
US Supreme Court rules judge can force Trump administration to un-freeze remaining foreign aid funding. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on March 5 the Trump administration must adhere to a lower court ruling that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) restart payments worth nearly $2 billion for the remaining USAID projects.
Ukraine Daily is made possible thanks to support of our readers.
For as little as $5/month you can help us keep going.
Your donation is processed by a U.S.-based secure payment system.
We have no access to your bank data.
This newsletter is open for sponsorship. Boost your brand’s visibility by reaching thousands of engaged subscribers. Click here for more details.
Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Martin Fornusek, Kateryna Hodunova, Liliane Bivings, Tymur Zadorozhnyy, Dmytro Basmat, Abbey Fenbert, and Volodymyr Ivanyshyn.
If you’re enjoying this newsletter, consider joining our membership program. Start supporting independent journalism today.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to react!