Zelenskyy informed EU officials that President Vladimir Putin is extending the conflict through "unjustified conditions." These remarks were delivered via a video message at the gathering in Brussels. Stay updated with Pawnation.com for more news.
Zelenskyy says Russia must stop 'unnecessary demands' that prolong war EU leaders are in Brussels to discuss boosting defense capabilities Military chiefs to meet in Britain to plan next steps for possible peacekeeping force in Ukraine Major Ukrainian drone strike hits southern Russian cities Engels and Saratov
Here are the most recent updates regarding the EU leaders' summit and Russia's conflict in Ukraine from Thursday, March 20.
Russia and the US will talk about Black Sea shipping in Riyadh on Monday.
Russia and the United States plan to discuss Ukraine during negotiations in Saudi Arabia on Monday, according to President Vladimir Putin's aide, Yuri Ushakov.
Ushakov stated that "Representing Russia will be Grigory Karasin, who chairs the Federation Council’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Sergei Beseda, an advisor to the director of the Federal Security Service (FSB)."
Russian and U.S. specialists are scheduled to talk about measures aimed at securing maritime traffic in the Black Sea, topics initially brought up by Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump. a telephone call on Tuesday .
Ushakov mentioned that he verified this following discussions with US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. They both concurred on dispatching "expert teams" for further negotiations, he also noted.
Zelenskyy appeals to EU officials to sanction €5 billion for artillery ammunition
In a video address to EU leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy asked them to approve a package of at least €5 billion for artillery purchases.
Earlier on Thursday, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas also urged EU leaders to pledge €5 billion for 2 million artillery shells for Ukraine.
Zelenskyy additionally remarked that it was "just anti-European for a single individual to block decisions crucial for the whole continent," alluding to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s stance against the European Union's declarations backing Ukraine.
Ukraine's Zelenskyy states Russia needs to cease 'unwarranted requirements'
According to an AFP report referencing a transcript from his video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia needs to cease making "unjustified demands," which he believes are extending the duration of the conflict.
"Putin needs to cease issuing unwarranted demands that merely extend the conflict and should begin adhering to his pledges to the global community," Zelenskyy stated to EU officials before emphasizing that sanctions ought to stay enforced.
"Sanctions should stay in effect until Russia begins pulling out of our territory and completely makes up for the destruction caused by its assault," according to quotes attributed to Zelenskyy.
The head of Ukraine informed EU officials that Russia continued to assault Ukraine’s energy facilities, contradicting assurances provided to U.S. President Donald Trump that these strikes would stop.
"Last night, yet another attack from Russia struck our energy facilities. In Ukraine, we encounter these assaults daily and nightly, as you're aware. Despite Putin’s claims of readiness to halt these strikes—there has been no change," stated Zelenskyy.
All EU leaders except for Orban support statement backing Ukraine.
All EU leaders, except for Hungary’s prime minister, Viktor Orbán, endorsed a declaration emphasizing their steadfast commitment to uphold the territorial integrity of Ukraine, as reported by Reuters.
Two weeks ago, Hungary declined to endorse a collective EU declaration that stated Ukraine could attain "peace through strength" by relying on ongoing European military and financial assistance.
Earlier this week, Hungary’s Minister for European Affairs, Janos Boka, suggested that Budapest would follow suit regarding the jointly prepared statement scheduled for the summit on Thursday.
Orbán's symbolic gesture has left Hungary more isolated than ever. During his leadership, Budapest has moved farther away from the European Union amid the conflict in Ukraine, consistently obstructing multibillion-euro assistance packages and sanction efforts. However, the remaining members of the bloc are progressively moving forward sans Orbán.
Hungary does not have the power to obstruct a significant European Union defense financing initiative. Similarly, it cannot stop nations from increasing their military expenditures.
The EU's Kaja Kallas urges investment of billions in ammunition for Ukraine.
The EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas called on Member states to make €5 billion ($5.4 billion) available to supply Ukraine's army with ammunition.
“I’ve suggested a plan focusing on what President Zelenskyy requires: procurement of ammunition worth €5 billion. We must begin taking tangible actions rather than just offering words; our support for Ukraine should be demonstrated through both declarations and actual assistance,” stated Kallas.
"As their power grows on the battlefield, so does their strength at the negotiating table,” Kallas stressed.
Initially, Kallas suggested a proposal offering Ukraine aid commitments totaling up to €40 billion in new military assistance, however, this failed to garner sufficient backing from EU countries.
Kallas similarly expressed approval over US President Donald Trump's statement that the United States would attempt to provide additional air defense systems to Ukraine.
The Kremlin charges Europe with 'militarization.'
The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, has charged European nations with aiming for military buildup instead of pursuing peaceful solutions.
His remarks were made as European Union leaders convened in Brussels to explore methods of increasing support for Ukraine and enhancing the union's defense capacities.
Peskov informed journalists that primarily, the messages coming from Brussels and various European cities revolve around strategies for turning Europe into a more militarized region.
Europe has initiated a military buildup and has transformed into something of a war faction.
The heightened emphasis on security within European nations is partially due to concerns that the United States, led by President Donald Trump, may no longer be dedicated to defending Europe.
Ukraine needs to maintain 'a powerful military' even following any ceasefire, according to Scholz.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz states that Europe needs to keep offering robust backing to Ukraine so that any future truce negotiated between Kyiv and Moscow can be sustained.
As he reached the EU leaders' summit in Brussels, he shared these remarks.
"Support must persist with a firm stance that a fair peace needs to be achievable for Ukraine," Scholz stated.
This indicates that Ukraine can protect its autonomy and sovereignty, choose its own direction and select its leaders, and of course, maintain a robust military even during times of peace.
Scholz stated that the recent agreement on the debt package by Germany's probable upcoming coalition to enable higher defense expenditures is a crucial component of this strategy.
He stated, 'Now we will have the ability to accomplish what is necessary for us as a large country situated in Central Europe.'
After approval from Germany’s federal state parliaments, an anticipated €3 billion ($3.27 billion) in military assistance will be directed towards Ukraine.
Next week’s assembly in Brussels is anticipated to be Scholz's final EU heads-of-state summit. By the time of the European Union’s subsequent major conference in June, Germany’s new chancellor is expected to be Friedrich Merz, who represents the conservative faction.
Large-scale Ukrainian drone assault targets southern Russia
A facility close to a Russian strategic bomber base in the southern city of Engels was struck during a significant Ukrainian drone assault late at night, as reported by officials.
The governor of the Saratov region, Roman Busargin, stated that this was the biggest assault involving drones targeting the area since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine over three years earlier.
"The TASS news agency quoted Busargin as saying, 'All emergency services are making significant efforts to address the situation left behind,'" he stated.
The strikes harmed 30 houses and ignited a fire at the airbase, he mentioned additionally.
Local authorities stated that a state of emergency was declared in the Engels district due to this situation, and people living closeby were relocated.
The Russian Defense Ministry stated that their anti-aircraft systems had intercepted over 130 Ukrainian unmanned aircraft across six southern regions during the night.
It was stated that 54 of these drones were detected and intercepted in the Saratov region.
The Engels base located there is around 700 kilometers (435 miles) from the front lines in Ukraine and hosts Russia's Tupolev Tu-160 nuclear capable heavy strategic bombers.
Zelenskyy arrives in Norway as Ukraine's leader
The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has reached Oslo, the capital of Norway, to engage in discussions with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.
"Norway supports Ukraine," Store stated in an official release, verifying Zelenskyy's presence.
I am eager for productive conversations about how Norway can most effectively support Ukraine, addressing needs both immediately and over the longer term.
Norway, a staunch supporter of Ukraine, committed earlier this month to nearly doubling its monetary aid to Kiev this year, raising it to 85 billion crowns ($8.03 billion or €7.3 billion).
While visiting the Scandinavian country, Zelenskyy’s team is scheduled to have meetings with ex-NATO head Jens Stoltenberg, who currently serves as Norway's finance minister.
Army leaders convene in the UK to discuss peacekeeping troops
As European officials convene in Brussels, military leaders from nations eager to assist in maintaining a potential truce between Russia and Ukraine will gather in the United Kingdom.
The UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, aims to gather a group of nations ready to assist in safeguarding any potential ceasefire agreement between Moscow and Kyiv.
The British government stated that approximately 30 nations had committed to participating in various capacities, with an additional “substantial number” expressing readiness for troop deployment as well. Both the UK and France have indicated their willingness to contribute soldiers too.
The meeting of military leaders scheduled for Thursday is anticipated to push the planning for a potential peacekeeping force into an "operational stage," as stated by the British prime minister.
Starmer stated over the weekend that the meeting aims to establish "strong and comprehensive strategies to support a peace agreement and ensure Ukraine's future security."
Zelenskyy will speak to EU leaders during the Brussels summit.
The leaders of the European Union’s 27 member countries have gathered in Brussels to deliberate on additional assistance for Ukraine amidst its conflict with Russia.
The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, will kick off the summit with an address presented through video link.
Except for Hungary, the group's members are anticipated to approve a statement supporting Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and calling on Russia to demonstrate genuine political commitment to resolving the conflict.
European Union leaders are expected to discuss plans from the European Commission aimed at increasing defense budgets and purchasing additional locally produced weapons.
The EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced on Wednesday that she plans to propose supplying Kyiv with 2 million rounds of large-caliber artillery ammunition for defensive purposes.
The summit takes place one day following a telephone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian leader consented to a "limited truce." That might prevent energy infrastructure from being targeted in attacks.
This marked their first discussion since an unpleasant talk in the Oval Office towards the end of last month.
Welcome to our coverage
The EU leaders will convene in Brussels on Thursday and Friday to talk about various topics, including enhancing the union’s military capacities due to uncertainties regarding potential shifts in American defense commitments.
The leaders are anticipated to confirm their continued support in terms of finance and military aid for Kyiv as it battles Russia.
On Thursday, military leaders from approximately 30 nations will convene in Britain to initiate discussions on the potential formation of a peacekeeping force in Ukraine and outline subsequent actions.
We will provide updates on the discussions from these meetings and explain their implications for Europe's security situation and the conflict in Ukraine.
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