While bombs continue to fall in Ukraine, it seems that steps are still being taken towards effective and lasting peace. Following the ceasefire agreement in the Black Sea and on energy infrastructure, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed on Friday to establish a "transitional administration" in Ukraine under the auspices of the UN to organize a "democratic" presidential election and then negotiate a peace agreement with the new authorities in Kiev.
In the aerial battle, Russia has shot down a hundred Ukrainian drones in the last twelve hours across eight regions, after a few days of relative calm following the announcement of the energy ceasefire. According to the Ministry of Defense, 32 unmanned aerial vehicles were shot down over the Voronezh region, another 19 in Saratov, 17 in Kursk, and 6 in Belgorod.
Meanwhile, the Russian Army launched a total of 163 unmanned aerial vehicles, including attack drones and their replicas, against various regions of Ukraine overnight, which the Russians use to confuse Kiev's defenses, according to the Friday report from the Ukrainian Air Force. Ukrainian air defenses shot down 89 of the attack drones launched by Russia in various regions of the south, north, and center of the country. Another 51 drone replicas fell without causing damage.
Erdogan Tells Putin that Ship Security in the Black Sea Can Contribute to Peace
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan informed his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in a call on Friday that measures to ensure navigation security in the Black Sea would contribute to peace efforts with Ukraine, the Turkish presidency reported, adding that Ankara was willing to contribute to these efforts, Reuters reports.
In a statement, the presidency indicated that Erdogan informed Putin that Turkey was closely following peace efforts between Ukraine and Russia and reiterated its offer to organize talks.
Erdogan also told Putin that Turkey valued cooperation with Russia in Syria, where both countries supported opposing sides for years, and stated that Ankara and Moscow should work together to end acts fueling sectarian violence in Syria, lift sanctions, and achieve lasting stability.
Russia Accuses Kiev of Destroying the Sudzha Gas Measurement Station
The Russian Ministry of Defense accused Ukraine on Friday of destroying the Sudzha gas measurement station in the border region of Kursk, Efe reports.
"On March 28, around 10:20 (07:20 GMT), the Kiev regime launched a double attack, using HIMARS rockets against the Sudzha gas measurement station, causing a large fire at the energy facility, which was practically destroyed," the military statement said.
Russia Accuses Ukraine of Attacking Its Energy Facilities in the Last 24 Hours
The Russian Ministry of Defense on Friday accused Ukraine of attacking Russian energy facilities in the last 24 hours, despite the moratorium on attacks on the other party's energy infrastructures. Reuters reports.
The ministry stated that Ukraine attacked a gas measurement station in the Kursk region and electrical facilities in Belgorod, and attempted to attack an oil refinery in the Saratov region. Reuters could not immediately confirm this information.
Chinese Foreign Minister Travels to Russia This Week for Strategic Dialogue with Lavrov
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will visit Russia from March 31 to April 2 at the invitation of his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, his department announced on Friday in a context marked by the war in Ukraine and the strengthening of the strategic alliance between the two nations, Efe reports.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated in a press conference today that "the China-Russia relationship has maintained a healthy, stable, and high-level development under the strategic guidance of both heads of state" and considered that bilateral exchanges have steadily deepened in various areas.
During the visit, Wang will hold talks with Lavrov to exchange views on the bilateral agenda, regional cooperation, and international issues of common interest, the spokesperson added.
Ukrainian Air Force Says Russia Launched 163 Drones Overnight
The Ukrainian Air Force reported on Friday that Russia launched 163 drones during overnight attacks, Reuters reports.
The air force shot down 89 drones, and another 51 did not reach their targets, likely due to electronic warfare countermeasures, it added. It did not specify what happened to the remaining 23 drones.
US Pushes for Broader Mining Agreement with Ukraine
The Trump administration has proposed a broader new mining agreement with Ukraine, according to three people familiar with the ongoing negotiations and a summary of a draft proposal obtained by Reuters.
The United States has revised its original proposal, according to the sources, and it does not offer Ukraine guarantees of future security but requires it to contribute to a joint investment fund with all revenues from the use of natural resources managed by state and private companies on Ukrainian territory.
White House Says Ukrainians Determine Ukraine's Government
Governance in Ukraine is determined by its constitution and the people of the country, a White House National Security Council spokesperson said on Thursday when asked for a response to comments by Russian President Vladimir Putin suggesting a temporary administration for Ukraine, Reuters reports.
Marco Rubio Says It's Too Early for High-Level Talks with Russia on Ukraine
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned on Thursday that it is premature to consider high-level talks with Russia as Washington assesses Moscow's response to its efforts to end the war in Ukraine, Afp reports.
The United States announced on Tuesday an agreement to halt hostilities in the Black Sea, but Russia subsequently set conditions such as the end of Western sanctions imposed after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
When asked by a journalist if it was time for high-profile meetings after the recent indirect negotiations with both parties in Saudi Arabia, Rubio said, "I think we need to make more progress at a technical level."