Key developments on March 5:
- US halts intelligence sharing with Ukraine, CIA director confirms
- Trump might resume Ukraine support after additional progress towards peace, White Home says
- Ukraine, EU drafting plan for first steps towards lasting peace, Zelensky says
- Ukraine, US delegations to fulfill 'quickly' for negotiations, Zelensky's prime aide says
- 'I obtained an necessary letter from President Zelensky' — Trump says Ukraine, Russia prepared to finish warfare
- Ukraine destroys Russian long-range surveillance system, exhibits fight footage
The U.S. has halted intelligence sharing with Kyiv, threatening Ukraine's capability to strike Russian targets amid the full-scale warfare, CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed to Fox Enterprise on March 5.
“Trump had an actual query about whether or not President (Volodymyr) Zelensky was dedicated to the peace course of, and he stated let’s pause,” Ratcliffe said.
On March 5, the Monetary Occasions reported, citing undisclosed sources, that the U.S. had halted intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
The transfer follows Washington's decision to freeze all navy support provides to Ukraine following a public spat between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump. The choice was possible supposed to place stress on Zelensky in peace talks.
Zelensky later issued a statement on March 4 through which he referred to as the Oval Workplace conflict "regrettable" and affirmed dedication to work towards peace beneath Trump's management.
The U.S. president praised Zelensky’s assertion in his handle to Congress however made no direct touch upon releasing navy support.
“I feel on the navy entrance and the intelligence entrance, the pause that allowed that to occur, I feel will go away,” Ratcliffe added.
There had been conflicting claims as as to whether the help freeze additionally involved intelligence sharing, a vital functionality that permits Ukraine to strike Russian targets and monitor navy motion.
The Kyiv IndependentOleg Sukhov
Citing an undisclosed Ukrainian official, Bloomberg initially disputed the Monetary Occasions' article, claiming that intelligence sharing is ongoing. The British tabloid Daily Mail beforehand reported that the U.S. banned the U.Okay. from sharing Washington-obtained intelligence with Kyiv.
Two officers advised the FT that whereas Washington blocked allies from sharing U.S. intelligence with Ukraine, "recipients with property contained in the nation" are prone to proceed passing sure data to Ukraine.
The restrictions will nonetheless hamper time-sensitive intelligence essential for conducting precision strikes towards moveable Russian targets, in keeping with the outlet. Sky News supported this declare, reporting that the restrictions are "selective" and are aimed toward Ukraine's capability to launch strikes.
Since then, the U.S. media has reported that the help freeze stays in place and that it’s unclear whether or not Zelensky's assertion that the Oval Workplace conflict was "regrettable" was adequate to elevate the freeze.
The Oval Workplace spat on Feb. 28, after which the U.S. leaders berated Zelensky as "ungrateful" and never "prepared for peace," derailed the signing of a much-anticipated natural resources agreement between the 2 nations.
Ukraine's chief reaffirmed his readiness to signal the deal in his assertion on March 4, however CBS Information reported that parameters are nonetheless unclear as Trump seeks better terms.
The Kyiv IndependentChris York
Trump might resume Ukraine support after additional progress towards peace, White Home says
U.S. President Donald Trump might elevate the pause on navy help for Ukraine as soon as peace talks are organized and extra confidence-building measures are taken, White Home nationwide safety adviser Mike Waltz stated on March 5, in keeping with Reuters.
White Home officers signaled that Zelensky should challenge an apology and display readiness for peace to get the talks again on monitor.
On March 4, the Ukrainian president made a statement through which he referred to as the quarrel "regrettable" and reaffirmed his dedication to work towards peace beneath Trump's "robust management."
Waltz referred to as the assertion a "good, constructive first step." Equally, Trump voiced appreciation for Zelensky's phrases and talked about the assertion in his handle to Congress.
"I feel if we will nail down these negotiations and transfer in the direction of these negotiations, and actually, put some confidence-building measures on the desk, then the president will take a tough take a look at lifting this pause," Waltz stated on the Fox & Buddies program, in keeping with Reuters.
In keeping with Trump's aide, officers are main talks on a selected date, location, and staff for the negotiations.
Ukraine has repeatedly pressured that safety ensures that may stop Russia from resuming its aggression at a later date are a essential situation for any peace talks. The Trump administration has retorted that the minerals deal is a safety dedication of its personal and pushed to dealer a fast decision between Kyiv and Moscow.
Zelensky reaffirmed his readiness to signal the deal in his assertion on March 4, however CBS Information reported that parameters are nonetheless unclear as Trump seeks better terms.
The Kyiv IndependentAndrea Januta
Ukraine, EU drafting plan for first steps towards lasting peace, Zelensky says
Ukraine and Europe are engaged on a plan for the primary steps towards a simply and sustainable peace as Russia's full-scale invasion enters its fourth yr, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on March 5.
"We’re making ready a plan of first steps to convey a couple of simply and sustainable peace. We’re engaged on it shortly. Will probably be prepared quickly," he wrote on Telegram.
Zelensky will participate in a particular European Council assembly on March 6, the place EU leaders are anticipated to debate continued help for Ukraine in addition to safety ensures for an enduring peace.
The president stated in his Telegram submit that he had mentioned the plan with with Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob, briefing him on the current leaders' summit in London and joint European efforts.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted a summit on March 2, gathering key Western leaders, together with Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, to coordinate help for Ukraine.
Zelensky wrote on Telegram that Europe has a standard imaginative and prescient for ending Russia's warfare and securing long-term stability.
"It ought to be on the desk of future negotiations along with Ukraine and the USA," he added.
The assertion comes as U.S. and Russian officers held talks in Istanbul on Feb. 27, following their preliminary assembly in Riyadh on Feb. 18.
The discussions, a part of U.S. President Donald Trump's push for a swift peace deal, have raised concerns in Kyiv and Europe that Washington is sidelining its allies.
Zelensky's remarks comply with a dramatic shift in U.S. overseas coverage, with Trump echoing Kremlin narratives and accusing the Ukrainian president of prolonging the warfare.
Washington has frozen all military support and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, a transfer broadly seen as an try to stress Kyiv into talks with Russia.
Earlier, the Ukrainian president proposed preliminary steps towards peace, together with releasing prisoners and a ceasefire within the air and sea.
The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
Ukraine, US delegations to fulfill 'quickly' for negotiations, Zelensky's prime aide says
Ukrainian and American delegations will meet "quickly" for peace talks, President Volodymyr Zelensky's Chief of Workers Andriy Yermak stated on March 5, following discussions with U.S. Nationwide Safety Advisor Mike Waltz.
"We mentioned additional steps in the direction of a simply and lasting peace," he wrote on Telegram.
The 2 sides "additionally exchanged views on safety points and the coordination of positions throughout the framework of bilateral relations between Ukraine and the USA," Yermak stated, including the groups agreed to fulfill within the close to future to "proceed this necessary work."
In his night handle, Zelensky stated that the primary outcomes of the continued negotiations could be introduced subsequent week.
"Everybody can see how briskly diplomatic occasions are growing. In the present day, our Ukrainian and U.S. groups have began engaged on a gathering. There’s a constructive motion," Zelensky stated.
An settlement between Kyiv and Washington on the pure assets stays stalled as Trump seeks a "bigger, better deal," CBS Information reported on March 4.
White Home officers publicly indicated that Zelensky should challenge an apology and demonstrate a dedication to peace talks for discussions to renew.
On March 4, Zelensky referred to as the White Home conflict "regrettable" and reaffirmed his willingness to work towards peace beneath Trump's "robust management."
Waltz suggested on March 5 that Trump might elevate the pause on navy help as soon as peace talks are organized and extra confidence-building measures are taken, Reuters reported.
The long-debated settlement would set up a fund to which Ukraine would contribute 50% of proceeds from the longer term monetization of state-owned mineral assets, together with oil, gasoline, and logistics infrastructure.
Ukraine beforehand rejected two U.S. proposals as a result of absence of safety ensures, however negotiations are persevering with amid mounting stress from Washington.
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'I obtained an necessary letter from President Zelensky' — Trump says Ukraine, Russia prepared to finish warfare
U.S. President Donald Trump stated he appreciated President Volodymyr Zelensky's assertion in help of peace talks however didn’t straight focus on his choice to halt navy support to Ukraine in his handle to a joint session of Congress on March 4.
A number of information retailers reported on March 3 that the Trump administration ordered an fast freeze on all U.S. navy support to Ukraine.
The U.S. president barely referenced the choice in his first main handle to lawmakers since returning to the White Home, focusing largely on home points.
When he talked about the warfare and Washington's position in supporting Ukraine, he averted any direct point out of the help freeze.
"The USA has despatched a whole bunch of billions of {dollars} to help Ukraine's protection," Trump said.
"With no safety, with no something. Do you need to hold it going for an additional 5 years?"
That query was Trump's solely nod to the suspension of support, which a White Home official stated on March 4 is supposed to pressure President Volodymyr Zelensky into peace negotiations.
Trump stated in his handle that he "admire(s)" Zelensky's current statements expressing Ukraine's readiness for peace, however didn’t say whether or not or not the U.S. would resume weapons deliveries.
On March 4, Zelensky reiterated Ukraine's dedication to the peace course of in a submit on X.
"Ukraine is able to come to the negotiating desk as quickly as potential to convey lasting peace nearer. No one needs peace greater than Ukrainians," he wrote.
Zelensky proposed preliminary steps towards de-escalation with Russia, together with prisoner of warfare (POW) releases, a "truce at sea," and a "truce within the sky" that may ban missiles, long-range drones, and bombs concentrating on civilian infrastructure.
He additionally stated Ukraine is able to signal the essential minerals deal "at any time and in any handy format."
Trump stated in his handle to Congress that he obtained that very same message in a letter from Zelensky. He learn Zelensky's assertion aloud, apparently presenting the message as an indication of profitable U.S. stress on Kyiv. Trump added that his staff had held discussions with Russia and obtained "robust indicators" that Moscow is able to make peace.
"Wouldn't that be stunning?" he stated.
Whereas Trump's remarks on Ukraine and Russia had been quick on particulars, his feedback indicated that he needs Europe to foot the invoice for Ukraine's protection.
"Europe has sadly spent extra money shopping for Russian oil and gasoline than they’ve defending Ukraine," he stated.
Trump likened U.S. spending on navy support to Ukraine to "taking sweet from a child" and expressed disbelief on the disparity between European and American support packages. He repeated his hopes for an finish to the warfare, saying, "It's time for the insanity to cease," however made no point out of sanctions towards Russia or safety ensures for Ukraine.
Ukraine destroys Russian long-range surveillance system, exhibits fight footage
Drones of the Ukrainian Hart Brigade's Falcon unit destroyed a Russian Murom-M long-range surveillance system close to the city of Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine's Khortytsia group of forces stated on March 5.
Vovchansk is an embattled city some 60 kilometers (37 miles) northeast of Kharkiv that has seen heavy battles since Russia launched a new offensive within the space in Could 2024.
Russian forces "weren’t saved by the anti-drone internet that coated it (Murom-M) from all sides. The primary two 'birds' of the Falcon pilots punched a gap in it, and the third lastly destroyed the system," the statement read.
Russian troops and a automobile used to move infantry and ammunition to their positions got here beneath assault in the identical space, the Khortytsia group of forces stated.
All through Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine and Russia have closely invested in drone technology, revolutionizing the best way wars are fought.
For outnumbered Ukrainian forces, drones have been one of many key weapons to strike Russian warships, naval bases, oil refineries, and airfields inside occupied territories and deep behind Russia's traces.
The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova
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