Key developments on March 4:
- US suspends Ukraine army support to stress Zelensky into talks, Trump adviser says
- US, Ukraine plan to signal mineral deal on March 4, Reuters studies
- Zelensky says White Home conflict 'regrettable,' proposes steps for peace
- Ukrainian drones reportedly strike oil refinery in Russia's Samara Oblast
- Ukraine strikes Russian army facility in Kursk Oblast, kills as much as 30 troops, Basic Employees studies
- Kremlin says Trump coverage shift 'largely aligns' with Russia’s pursuits
The U.S. has suspended army support to Ukraine as a part of a stress marketing campaign to push Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky towards negotiations with Russia, U.S. President Donald Trump’s senior adviser Jason Miller instructed CNN on March 4.
"President Trump is the one individual, the one individual speaking about stopping the killing, and generally leaders can use the carrot, generally they will use the stick," Miller stated.
A number of media retailers reported that Trump ordered a direct halt to all army support to Ukraine on March 4, affecting over $1 billion in weapons and ammunition deliveries.
Miller claimed that Trump was utilizing robust techniques to strengthen his demand for peace talks and that he expects Zelensky to "get again to the desk."
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed that American army support had certainly been suspended, citing Polish border studies. "That is an emergency," Tusk stated.
Polish Overseas Ministry spokesperson Pawel Wronski added that the U.S. had not consulted with any of its NATO allies earlier than suspending the help.
The transfer follows a heated Oval Workplace meeting on Feb. 28 between Trump, Zelensky, and U.S. Vice President JD Vance, which ended with the cancelation of a deliberate U.S.-Ukraine mineral settlement.
For the reason that assembly, some U.S. officers and Republican lawmakers have escalated their criticism of Zelensky, with some even suggesting he ought to resign.
Based on the Kiel Institute for the World Financial system, the U.S. has provided $119.8 billion in support to Ukraine because the begin of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, together with $67.1 billion in military aid, $49 billion in monetary support, and $3.6 billion in humanitarian assist.
The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy
US, Ukraine plan to signal mineral deal on March 4, Reuters studies
The U.S. and Ukraine are making ready to signal a mineral deal on March 4, in keeping with Reuters, citing sources acquainted with the matter.
The sources indicated that U.S. President Donald Trump plans to announce the settlement throughout his upcoming deal with to Congress.
Nevertheless, they cautioned that the state of affairs stays fluid and will nonetheless change.
President Volodymyr Zelensky’s Feb. 28 go to to the White House was initially supposed to finalize the long-debated settlement on collectively growing Ukraine’s mineral assets.
The assembly as a substitute changed into a public clash, with Trump and U.S. Vice President JD Vance berating Zelensky. The Ukrainian president later left the White Home without signing the deal.
Following the talks, Trump accused Zelensky of "disrespecting" the U.S. within the Oval Workplace and stated the Ukrainian president "isn’t prepared for peace."
Zelensky later referred to as the fallout "regrettable" and reaffirmed Ukraine’s readiness to signal the mineral and safety settlement "at any time and in any handy format."
The report comes after Trump reportedly ordered a direct halt to greater than $1 billion in U.S. army support to Ukraine on March 4.
For the reason that dispute, some Republican lawmakers have ramped up criticism of Zelensky, with some suggesting he could must step apart.
Zelensky’s White Home go to was preceded by weeks of tense negotiations as Ukraine rejected the preliminary two draft proposals, arguing they imposed one-sided obligations on Kyiv with none safety commitments from Washington.
The ultimate agreement is anticipated to ascertain a fund to which Ukraine will contribute 50% of the proceeds from the longer term monetization of state-owned mineral assets, together with oil, fuel, and logistics infrastructure.
Zelensky’s refusal to signal the initial draft, offered by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Kyiv on Feb. 12, prompted the U.S. President to lash out publicly.
Trump denounced Zelensky as a "dictator," falsely accusing him of refusing to carry elections and echoing Kremlin disinformation about his legitimacy.
Join our community Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight. Support Us 
Zelensky says White Home conflict 'regrettable,' proposes steps for peace
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on March 4 that his assembly with U.S. President Donald Trump on the White Home "didn’t go the best way it was purported to be," calling the fallout "regrettable."
The assertion follows days of mounting pressure from Washington, with senior U.S. officers signaling that Zelensky ought to apologize for the heated Feb. 28 Oval Workplace change with Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
The assembly ended with out a deliberate U.S.-Ukraine mineral settlement being signed.
Zelensky reaffirmed that Ukraine is able to signal the settlement on minerals and safety "at any time and in any handy format."
"We see this settlement as a step towards larger safety and stable safety ensures, and I really hope it’ll work successfully," he posted on X.
Zelensky additionally responded to Trump's newest criticism of his feedback on March 2, during which he described peace negotiations as being within the earliest levels and a last deal as "very, very distant."
Trump seized on the remarks as alleged proof that Zelensky doesn’t need peace, posting on Truth Social that "America won’t put up with it for for much longer."
"Ukraine is able to come to the negotiating desk as quickly as attainable to convey lasting peace nearer. No person desires peace greater than Ukrainians," Zelensky stated.
He prompt that the preliminary steps towards de-escalation might embody prisoner of battle (POWs) releases, a "truce within the sky" banning missiles, long-range drones, and bombs focusing on civilian infrastructure, in addition to a "truce at sea."
"Then we wish to transfer very quick by way of all subsequent levels and to work with the U.S. to agree a robust last deal," Zelensky added.
The remarks come as a number of media retailers reported that Trump ordered a direct freeze on all army support to Ukraine on March 4, halting over $1 billion in weapons and ammunition deliveries.
Trump's senior adviser, Jason Miller, instructed CNN that the help suspension is a part of a stress campaign to push Zelensky into negotiations with Russia.
U.S. Nationwide Safety Advisor Mike Waltz instructed Fox Information on March 3 that Washington expects Zelensky to indicate "regret" for the Oval Workplace dispute and decide to signing the mineral deal.
The Kyiv IndependentChris York
Ukrainian drones reportedly strike oil refinery in Russia's Samara Oblast
Ukrainian drones attacked an oil refinery within the metropolis of Syzran in Russia's Samara Oblast in a single day on March 4, Andrii Kovalenko, head of the Middle for Countering Disinformation, stated.
The primary explosions occurred round 3 a.m. native time, in keeping with native residents. A hearth broke out on the facility because of this.
Samara Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Fedorishchev later stated that drones attacked "one of many Syzran industrial enterprises" with out offering extra particulars. Russian forces downed drones, and there have been no casualties, Fedorishchev claimed.
The Kyiv Impartial couldn’t instantly confirm the claims.
Drones attacked Russian Syzran oil refinery in Samara Area, locals report an explosion. A 12 months in the past, drones hit the identical web site, sparking a fireplace. No official particulars on the newest incident but. pic.twitter.com/I0hJs85WW4
— Iuliia Mendel (@IuliiaMendel) March 4, 2025
The Syzran Oil Refinery, mendacity round 700 kilometers (430 miles) from the Russia-Ukraine border, was opened in 1942 and belongs to the Russian state-owned oil firm Rosneft.
The refinery has a capability of 8.9 million tons of oil per 12 months. It produces gas, aviation kerosene, and bitumen, in addition to processes crude oil from Western Siberia and Samara Oblast, in keeping with Kovalenko.
Drones earlier attacked the Syzran Oil Refinery on Feb. 19.
Ukraine considers Russian oil facilities to be legitimate army targets, as fossil gas income provide Moscow's battle machine. The Ukrainian army has launched repeated assaults towards Russian refineries with long-range drones.
The Kyiv IndependentKollen Post
Ukraine strikes Russian army facility in Kursk Oblast, kills as much as 30 troops, Basic Employees studies
Ukraine's Air Power struck a army facility close to Troitskoye in Russia's Kursk Oblast on March 4, destroying dugouts and firing positions and killing as much as 30 Russian army personnel, in keeping with Ukraine's Basic Employees.
The power was reportedly used for planning assaults, together with launching first-person-view (FPV) drones at Ukrainian positions. The Kyiv Impartial couldn’t independently confirm these claims.
"Ukraine's Protection Forces stay able to proceed operations focusing on Russian army services till the Russia ceases its armed aggression towards the Ukrainian individuals," the assertion learn.
Ukraine launched a shock cross-border incursion into Kursk Oblast in August 2024, initially capturing about 1,300 sq. kilometers (500 sq. miles) of Russian territory.
Whereas Ukrainian forces have misplaced roughly half that space since, they lately advanced 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) in a brand new offensive.
Over six months of preventing within the area, Russian casualties have reached almost 40,000, together with over 16,000 killed, Ukraine's Basic Employees reported in February.
Ukraine is probably going utilizing its foothold in Kursk Oblast as leverage in potential peace talks. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated earlier that the offensive disrupted Russia's capability to conduct large-scale operations in northeastern and southern Ukraine.
Russian forces in Kursk Oblast have been bolstered by North Korean troops, deployed final fall to counter Ukraine's cross-border operations.
The Kyiv IndependentYana Prots
Kremlin says Trump coverage shift ‘largely aligns’ with Russia’s pursuits
U.S. President Donald Trump’s heated Oval Workplace assembly with President Volodymyr Zelensky indicators a serious shift in U.S. international coverage, one {that a} Kremlin spokesman says "largely aligns" with Russia’s pursuits.
Trump’s current stance on Ukraine, together with his public rebuke of Zelensky and reported halt on U.S. military aid to Kyiv, has drawn reward from Russian officers whereas elevating considerations amongst European allies.
Since taking workplace, Trump has distanced the U.S. from its conventional function as Ukraine’s major supporter, as a substitute questioning Kyiv’s dedication to peace and implying that Ukraine shares blame for the continued battle.
His administration’s place has prompted Russian officers to precise optimism a couple of potential thaw in U.S.-Russia relations. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state television on March 3 that "the brand new administration is quickly altering all international coverage configurations," calling the shift a optimistic growth for Moscow.
Throughout the Oval Office meeting on Feb. 28, Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused Zelensky of failing to indicate gratitude for U.S. assist and warned that his refusal to barter with Putin might escalate right into a broader battle.
In response, European leaders reaffirmed their dedication to Ukraine, denouncing Russia’s invasion and calling for continued Western army support. The divergence in method has raised questions on the way forward for U.S. support for Kyiv.
Russian officers have overtly praised Trump’s stance, with Overseas Minister Sergey Lavrov calling him "the primary, and thus far, the one Western chief" to acknowledge what Moscow considers the true explanation for the battle. Different Kremlin figures, together with the deputy chair of Russia’s Safety Council, applauded Trump for taking a harsher tone towards Zelensky, even labeling Ukraine’s chief a "dictator."
In the meantime, Secretary of State Marco Rubio prompt that when the battle ends, Washington and Moscow might pursue "doubtlessly historic financial partnerships," together with cooperation on Arctic growth and uncommon earth mining.
The Kyiv IndependentBrooke Manning
Observe from the writer:
Ukraine Conflict Newest is put collectively by the Kyiv Impartial information desk staff, who preserve you knowledgeable 24 hours a day, seven days per week. When you worth our work and wish to guarantee we’ve the assets to proceed, join the Kyiv Independent community.
Leave a Reply