Tuesday, March 4
Russia’s war against Ukraine
A woman walks with a trolley near the damaged House of Culture in the town of Bilytske, Donetsk region, on March 3, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Tetiana Dzhafarova / AFP via Getty Images)
Trump halts military aid to Ukraine, Bloomberg reports. U.S. President Donald Trump ordered a suspension of all military aid to Ukraine on March 3, escalating pressure on President Volodymyr Zelensky. According to the official who spoke to Bloomberg on conditions of anonymity, all U.S. military assistance to Ukraine is on hold until Trump determines that Ukrainian leaders are making a genuine effort toward peace.
Ukraine committed to work with US, Europe to end war ‘the soonest possible,’ Zelensky says. “It is very important that we try to make our diplomacy really substantive to end this war the soonest possible,” President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on X.
Russia trying to break through border in Sumy Oblast, cut off Ukraine’s Kursk logistics routes. Russia is attempting to enter Ukrainian territory with assault groups in the direction of the village of Novenke, State Border Guard spokesperson Andrii Demchenko said.
‘The worst statement’ — Trump criticizes Zelensky for saying peace deal with Russia is far away. President Volodymyr Zelensky made the remark in a March 2 interview with British media, saying that negotiations were in the earliest stages and that a settlement with Moscow remains a distant prospect.
Russia plans to launch 500 kamikaze drones per day at Ukraine, HUR says. Russia currently uses 150 to 200 drones per attack against Ukraine, but Russian forces plan to increase their capabilities to 500, according to military intelligence.
Your contribution helps keep the Kyiv Independent going. Become a member today.
Trump says US should spend ‘less time worrying about Putin.’ Trump’s comments are the latest instalment of a widening gulf between the U.S., and Ukraine and its European allies.
Kremlin welcomes Trump’s policy shift as US moves ‘align’ with Russia’s interests. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state television on March 3 that “the new (U.S.) administration is rapidly changing all foreign policy configurations,” calling the shift a positive development for Moscow.
Trump-Putin summit now being ‘fast-tracked,’ CNN reports. Donald Trump’s spat with Volodymyr Zelensky was an additional incentive for the next round of talks on restoring relations between the U.S. and Russia to take place in the coming weeks.
Sanctions, shrinking exports spark crisis in Russia’s coal industry, media reports. Financial troubles have forced eight coal companies in Russia’s Kemerovo Oblast to halt operations, leaving hundreds of miners without pay for months, according to Governor Ilya Seredyuk.
Ukraine brings back 7 children from occupied territories, Russia. Through the President of Ukraine’s Bring Kids Back UA initiative, at least 1,233 children have been safely returned home from Russian-occupied areas.
Read our exclusives
Ukraine war latest: Trump to discuss potential suspension of military aid for Ukraine
An unnamed administration official told the NYT that Trump will meet on March 3 with his top national security aides, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, to review and potentially act on a range of policy options for Ukraine.
Photo: Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images
Attacks on Ukraine’s draft officers on the rise, fueled by social tension and Russian interference
Within a single week in February, several attacks against enlistment offices and personnel in Ukraine took place, resulting in injuries among both military and civilians. The most striking was the murder of an enlistment officer at a gas station in Poltava Oblast.
Photo: Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images
Why doesn’t NATO open its doors to Ukraine?
“You can forget about (…NATO membership). That’s probably the reason the whole thing (war) started,” U.S. President Donald Trump said on Feb. 26 when asked about the potential settlement between Ukraine and Russia.
Photo: Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images
5 ways you can support Ukraine even if your governement doesn’t want to
U.S. President Donald Trump’s public spat with President Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House on Feb. 28 threw the future of Washington’s support for Ukraine in the air, but led to a renewed outpouring of support for Ukraine.
Photo: Riccardo De Luca/Anadolu via Getty Images
Human cost of Russia’s war
‘A tragedy’ — Russia strikes Ukrainian military training ground during exercises, Drapatyi says. A day earlier, news of a Russian attack with an Iskander-M missile on a training ground in the village of Cherkaske near the regional center of Dnipro began circulating on social media.
Russian drone attack on Odesa injures 4, causes power outages. Odesa Oblast Governor Oleh Kiper said that Russian strike has damaged energy infrastructure, and confirmed that parts of the city were experiencing power cuts.
Russian attacks across Ukraine kill 6, injure 26 over past day. Russian forces launched 83 drones from the Russian cities of Orel, Kursk, Millerovo, and Primosk-Akhtarsk at Ukraine overnight, according to Ukraine’s Air Force.
International response
Vance says US door open if Zelensky willing to ‘seriously talk peace.’ U.S. Vice President JD Vance criticized President Volodymyr Zelensky in a March 3 interview with Fox News, claiming Zelensky has shown a “clear unwillingness to engage in the peace process” — a policy Donald Trump insists reflects the will of the American people.
France, UK working on developing one month truce plan for Ukraine, Macron tells Le Figaro. Ground and maritime operations, as well as energy infrastructure, would be part of a potential truce plan, Emmanuel Macron told Le Figaro.
US wants Zelensky to ’regret’ Oval Office clash, sign minerals deal, Waltz says. “What we need to hear from President Zelensky is that he regrets what happened, that he’s ready to sign this minerals deal, and that he’s ready to engage in peace talks,” U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said.
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick claims US-Ukraine mineral deal to be signed. The United States and Ukraine are making progress on a key mineral agreement that could strengthen long-term economic ties and pave the way for further security assistance, U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick said on March 3.
Trump administration weighs sanctions relief for Russia, Reuters reports. The White House has directed the State and Treasury departments to compile a list of sanctions that could be lifted, according to sources. While internal government offices routinely prepare such options, the White House’s direct request signals a serious consideration of sanctions relief.
Europe’s major powers consider seizing frozen Russian assets in ceasefire talks, FT reports. While Berlin and Paris had previously resisted full asset confiscation, they are now engaging in talks with European and G7 partners about potential mechanisms to use the funds.
Opinions and insights
Trump’s Oval Office clash with Zelensky killed diplomacy
“At the level of public diplomacy, Trump and U.S. Vice President JD Vance violated the rules even respected by figures like Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, and Mao Zedong,” writes Slavoj Žižek.
Photo: Saul Loeb / AFP via Getty Images
6 silver linings of the Trump-Zelensky showdown
“The ambush by hired hand U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the White House Oval Office at high noon on Feb. 28 made for great theater, more 24-hour TV than diplomacy,” writes Timothy Ash.
Photo: Justin Tallis / Pool / AFP via Getty Images
Ukrainians react to Trump-Zelensky clash
In other news
Ukraine bonds drop sharply following Trump-Zelensky argument, Reuters reports. Ukraine’s international bonds fell to their lowest point in over a month on March 3 after a heated exchange between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump last week, Reuters reported.
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 Chris York, Kateryna Hodunova, Oleksiy Sorokin, Tymur Zadorozhnyy, and Olena Goncharova.
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!