While talks of a ceasefire in the Ukraine war between the main leaders continue, attacks on the ground persist. Ukraine claims that the Russian Armed Forces lost an undetermined number of Kh-101 missiles after last night's drone attack on the military aerodrome in the Russian city of Engels, in the Saratov region, where about 50 were intercepted.
Russia has declared a state of emergency in the Engels district, where the base, about 700 km from the front lines in Ukraine, houses Russian heavy strategic nuclear bombers Tupolev Tu-160.
Ukraine said that Russia had launched 171 long-range drones and shot down 75, while another 63 decoy drones disappeared from radar after likely being interfered with. Russia stated that it destroyed 132 Ukrainian drones in six Russian regions and in annexed Crimea.
In the city of Kropyvnytskyi, in the Kirovograd region, nearly fifty drones injured 14 people, including several children.
Kiev and Moscow tentatively agreed to a limited ceasefire after U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with the leaders of both countries this week, although it is still unclear when it could take effect and what possible targets would be off-limits to attacks.
On Monday, Russia and the U.S. will discuss in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a ceasefire in the Black Sea, followed by a total ceasefire, and ultimately peace negotiations.
Meanwhile, the European Union is holding a summit in Brussels to address the defense and security of the bloc following Trump's geopolitical shift. Additionally, military leaders from countries within and outside Europe were scheduled to meet at a military base on the outskirts of London to finalize an international peace force for Ukraine.
London Summit Begins to Define Deployment of Peace Forces in Ukraine
The Northwood Headquarters, northwest of London, is the setting where technical details of the European peace force in Ukraine will begin to be articulated, whose task will be to protect the sovereignty of that country once a ceasefire is reached with Russia. The British government expects around 30 senior military officials from 27 different countries to attend. The Prime Minister himself, Keir Starmer, will address the attendees. Starmer has been increasing his activity in recent weeks to position the United Kingdom as the undisputed leader in the defense of Ukraine.
Russia Announces Talks with the U.S. on Ukraine in Riyadh on Monday
Russian and U.S. officials will hold talks on Ukraine in Saudi Arabia on Monday, announced Thursday the diplomatic adviser to President Vladimir Putin.
"These consultations will take place on Monday, March 24 in Riyadh," said Yuri Ushakov, in statements published by the Kremlin. "On the Russian side, Grigory Karasin, chairman of the Senate's international affairs committee, and Sergei Beseda, adviser to the head of the FSB security service, will attend," he added, reports Afp.
Kallas Urges EU Leaders to Commit to Providing 5,000 Million
The EU's Foreign Policy Chief, Kaja Kallas, urged EU leaders on Thursday to commit to providing 5,000 million euros (5,400 million dollars) in artillery projectiles to strengthen Ukraine's position in peace talks, amid divergences on how to enhance Kiev's and the EU's military capabilities, reports Reuters.
Upon arriving at a summit in Brussels, Kallas urged leaders to back up their words of support for Kiev with actions, while U.S. President, Donald Trump, continues his efforts to end the war, even through rapprochement with Russia.
U.S. and Russia to Talk on Monday in Saudi Arabia
Next Monday, delegations from Russia and the U.S. will discuss in the city of Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia, about a possible ceasefire in Ukraine, according to an advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a late report from the Afp agency.
It had previously been reported that next week there would be talks between the U.S. and Russia to discuss a ceasefire in the Black Sea, followed by a total ceasefire, and finally peace negotiations.
Between 10,000 and 30,000 Troops to Enforce Peace
If peace comes to Ukraine, it is unclear what size the contingent to help enforce it could be. Officials have cited figures between 10,000 and 30,000 troops, reports Ap.
Only the United Kingdom and France have said they are willing to send troops, although countries like Australia, Canada, France, and Finland say they are open to participating in some way.
Around 30 leaders participated in a video meeting on Saturday, including Macron, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, and leaders from Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, as well as officials from NATO and the European Union.
Russia has said it will not accept troops from NATO countries on Ukrainian soil. And Trump has not signaled that the U.S. will provide a reserve firepower in case of any breach of a ceasefire. Starmer says the plan will not work without that "backing" from the United States.
Aside from the meeting in England, EU leaders in Brussels were expected to discuss Ukraine's security needs with Zelensky during a meeting on increasing defense spending after the Trump administration indicated that Europe must take care of its own security.
Military Leaders to Address Peace Mission for Ukraine While Partial Ceasefire is Negotiated
Military leaders from countries within and outside Europe were scheduled to meet on Thursday at a military base on the outskirts of London to finalize plans for an international peace force for Ukraine, while details of a partial ceasefire are being worked out, reports Ap.
British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, stated that the "coalition of the willing" plan, led by the United Kingdom and France, is entering an "operational phase." However, it is unclear how many countries are willing to send troops, or if there will be any ceasefire to maintain.
Ukraine and Russia tentatively agreed on Wednesday to a limited ceasefire after U.S. President, Donald Trump, spoke with the leaders of the two countries this week, although it is still unclear when it could take effect and what possible targets would be off-limits to attacks.
The tentative agreement to partially halt the war after three years came after Russian President, Vladimir Putin, rejected Trump's initiative to establish a full 30-day ceasefire. The difficulties in getting the fighters to agree not to attack each other's energy infrastructure highlight the challenges Trump will face in trying to fulfill his campaign promise to quickly end the war.
Despite the negotiations, both sides launched hundreds of drone attacks overnight, causing several injuries and damage to buildings.