This Tuesday, a Ukrainian delegation met with the U.S. Secretary of State in Saudi Arabia to discuss ending the war with Russia, which has been ongoing for three years. However, massive bombings continue on the front lines. This morning, Ukraine attacked Russia with over 330 drones, resulting in at least three deaths and several injuries, marking the largest Kiev bombing on Russia in these three years of war.
Most of the drones, 126, were shot down in the border region of Kursk, parts of which are controlled by Ukrainian forces, and 91 more were shot down in the Moscow region. The Russian capital has closed several airports and train stations due to the Ukrainian threat.
In Saudi Arabia, Ukraine and Russia are meeting in a crucial encounter to achieve a partial ceasefire with Russia. Tuesday's meeting is the first between officials from both countries since Zelensky's disastrous visit to the White House at the end of February, which led to a tense dispute with Trump.
EU urges UN to support Ukraine, "which does not want to be part of Russia"
The EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, called on Tuesday at the UN Security Council for global support for Ukraine, "which does not want to be part of Russia and deserves to decide its own future."
Kallas participated in the annual session between the European Union (EU) and the United Nations to review various aspects of their bilateral cooperation. This year's meeting has gained importance due to the abrupt shift by the United States regarding the war in Ukraine and its approach to Russia.
Without mentioning the United States or its president, Donald Trump, -nor the ongoing negotiations in Saudi Arabia between the U.S. and Ukraine-, Kallas emphasized that "the war can end the moment Russia wants it to, but it has chosen not to because it has not achieved its objectives, and this has not changed."
Russia starts importing Dominican beer to mitigate European sanctions
Russia has begun importing beer from the Dominican Republic to counter the sanctions imposed by the European Union (EU) and the limited profit margins due to the high logistical costs from Asia, as reported by the newspaper Kommersant.
The importing company Mirovoi Trader obtained a license to import beer from the 'Presidente' brand, owned by Cervecería Nacional Dominicana, as stated on the Russian bidding platform Rossakreditatsiya.
Following the price increase of European beer due to the sanctions imposed by the war in Ukraine, Asian distributors have partially filled the niche left by EU suppliers, displacing Belgium as one of the three most important beer exporters to Russia.
Sánchez to appear in Congress on March 26 to explain Spain's position on Ukraine
The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, will appear in the Congress of Deputies on March 26 to report on "the new geopolitical scenario," discuss the conclusions of the European Council meeting scheduled for March 20 and 21, and explain Spain's position on Ukraine.
This was announced by the spokesperson of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) in the Congress of Deputies, Patxi López, during a press conference in the Lower House, where he recalled that Sánchez requested to appear "to report on the new geopolitical scenario and discuss the conclusions of the European Council meeting scheduled for March 20 and 21." "This appearance will take place on the 26th of this month," he said.
At the same time, López recalled that the President of the Government has summoned all groups, "except Vox," this Thursday at La Moncloa to "provide information and seek agreements regarding the situation in Ukraine and the role of the European Union in this new geopolitics."
Sánchez tells Díaz that military spending will not diminish social spending to help appease Sumar
From meeting to meeting. This is how the morning has unfolded among the Government partners. After the Tuesday's Cabinet meeting, Pedro Sánchez and Yolanda Díaz held a meeting to discuss defense spending. "Normalcy" was conveyed from La Moncloa regarding the fact that the President and the Second Vice President had to hold a public meeting, given the divergence of opinions among the partners on military spending. To downplay the situation, they framed the meeting within the round of talks Sánchez will have with the parties on Thursday and as a gesture of respect towards his partner.
During the meeting, government sources explained that the Prime Minister conveyed to Díaz the options Spain has on the table: there is a commitment to reach 2% of GDP in defense spending, initially set for 2029, but they will try to expedite it. In other words, meeting that target sooner. This message was already conveyed by Sánchez from Brussels when he participated in the extraordinary European Council meeting to discuss defense last week.
Europeans cannot ensure their security without the US, says a Dutch minister
European countries cannot ensure their own security without the support of the United States, which remains a "reliable ally" in NATO, stated the Dutch Defense Minister, Ruben Brekelmans, in Paris on Tuesday. At a time when Europe is uncertain about Washington's intentions following the rapprochement with Moscow after the suspension of U.S. military aid to Ukraine, Ruben Brekelmans, the guest of honor at the Paris Defense and Security Forum (PDSF), called on the press to "not speculate."
"We should not speculate about other measures the United States might take because we simply cannot ensure our security without the United States at this time; this is the reality we have to work with," he stated.
Although he expressed hope that Washington would "reconsider its position on Ukraine," he considered that the United States remains a "reliable ally" in NATO, but he expects European countries to do more.
Military chiefs from 36 countries discuss in Paris how to give credibility to Ukraine in negotiations
The Chiefs of Staff of 36 countries are meeting in Paris on Tuesday to discuss how to give credibility to the Ukrainian position for potential peace negotiations, especially to deter Russia from attempting new attacks in the future.
The French Defense Minister, Sébastien Lecornu, emphasized to these military chiefs the need to "project themselves" and, in particular, to "reflect on what the Ukrainian Army should be in the future" in the next 5, 10, and 15 years, as well as "how European armies can give credibility to diplomatic discussions."
The meeting includes military chiefs from 36 countries, mostly European but also from Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, as reported by Efe.
Ukraine claims to have hit a refinery in the massive attack on Moscow
The Ukrainian Army and intelligence services targeted an oil refinery processing 11 million tons of crude oil annually and supplying up to half of the fuel needed by the Russian capital, according to a statement by the Ukrainian General Staff, reported by Efe.
The strike on the so-called Moscow Oil Refinery, where several "impacts" occurred according to the Kiev General Staff, is part of the massive Russian drone attack launched by Ukraine against the Russian capital region overnight. Additionally, Ukrainian armed forces also targeted a factory in the Russian region of Oryol last night, which provides technological support to the Russian Druzhba oil pipeline and is crucial, according to the Ukrainian General Staff, for supplying oil to the Leningrad region.