Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy replaces head of general staff of the armed forces
Defence minister says Ukraine ‘systematically transforming’ its military; Macron says allied security force does need Russia’s blessing. What we know on day 1,118
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has appointed Andriy Gnatov as chief of the general staff of the armed forces, replacing Anatoliy Bargylevych, who has been moved to chief inspector of the defence ministry. “He [Gnatov] is a combat guy,” Zelenskyy said. “His task is to bring more combat experience … Everything that our brigades have learned from the war should be implemented 100% at the planning level.” Ukraine’s defence minister, Rustem Umerov, posted: “We are systematically transforming the armed forces of Ukraine to enhance their combat effectiveness. This involves restructuring the command system and implementing clear standards.”
Russia launched a drone attack on Kyiv, its mayor, Vitali Klitschko, said early on Monday, adding that Ukrainian air defence units were responding. Reuters said its witnesses heard blasts that sounded like air defences in action. On Sunday, Kyiv said Moscow had launched 90 Iranian Shahed drones on to nine Ukrainian regions.
Emmanuel Macron has said France, the UK, and other nations providing security guarantees for Ukraine after any eventual ceasefire would not be aiming to deploy a “mass” of soldiers but instead could send contingents of several thousand troops to key locations in Ukraine without needing Russia’s permission. From Paris, Angelique Chrisafis writes that the French president insisted: “Under no circumstances can the Ukrainians make territorial concessions without having any security guarantees.” Macron said Russia “does not give the impression it sincerely wants peace”; on the contrary, the Russian president was “escalating the fighting” and “wants to get everything, then negotiate”.
Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin are expected this week to discuss the ceasefire proposed by the US and Ukraine, write Edward Helmore and Shaun Walker. Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff said he thinks “the two presidents are going to have a really good and positive discussion this week”, and Trump “really expects there to be some sort of deal in the coming weeks, maybe, and I believe that’s the case”. Moscow said the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, had called his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov. “Sergei Lavrov and Marco Rubio agreed to remain in contact,” the Russian foreign ministry said, with no mention of the proposed ceasefire. Witkoff claimed Putin accepted the “philosophy” of the ceasefire. However, Putin has been vague about what terms he would demand or accept.
Late on Sunday, Zelenskyy said he had spoken with Canada’s new prime minister, Mark Carney. “The prime minister made the right points about how we need to step up pressure on Moscow,” Zelenskyy said. “The shadow fleet, the banking sector. We must impose all-out sanctions on everything that provides Russia with funding for its war. Only then can we force Putin to a just and lasting peace.” Carney is due in France on Monday for talks with Emmanuel Macron that will cover the war in Ukraine, before travelling to London to meet Keir Starmer, the British PM.
Lithuania on Sunday backed an EU proposal to pledge up to €40bn in military aid for Ukraine this year and said a similar amount would also be needed in future years. While some EU countries have responded cautiously to the initiative, Lithuania’s foreign minister, Kestutis Budrys, said long-term military support for Ukraine should not depend on the outcome of any peace talks as it was already clear Kyiv would need to maintain strong “deterrence forces for Russians not to return”. Lithuania spent 2.85% of GDP on defence in 2024, according to Nato estimates, and has committed to raising that figure to 5% to 6% between 2026 and 2030.
Russia would demand that Nato members exclude Ukraine from membership and that it will remain neutral in any peace deal, Alexander Grushko, a Russian deputy foreign minister, has told the Russian media outlet Izvestia.
Continue reading...-
Zelenskyy names new chief of general staff to enhance Ukraine's combat effectiveness
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy appointed Andrii Hnatov as the new chief of the general staff of Ukraine’s military, replacing Anatoliy BarhylevychABC News - 10h -
Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy accuses Putin of seeking to prolong war amid buildup of forces
Ukrainian president maintains his troops are still fighting in Russia’s Kursk region and warns that Moscow is ‘doing everything’ to prevent a ceasefire. What we know on day 1,117. See all our ...The Guardian - 1d -
Ukraine war briefing: Kyiv officials to meet Trump aides in Saudi Arabia
Volodymyr Zelenskyy says ‘realistic proposals on the table’ in talks; Donald Trump hints US may be close to lifting intelligence pause. What we know on day 1,111. See all our Russia-Ukraine war ...The Guardian - Mar. 10 -
South Africa says Zelenskyy will visit in April as part of its ongoing talks with Ukraine and Russia
South Africa says Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit in April for talks on finding “a path to peace” with RussiaABC News - Mar. 7 -
Ukraine war briefing: Airstrikes on Kyiv; Zelenskyy promises ‘fully constructive’ talks in Saudi Arabia
Air defences engaged in repelling Russian attack on Ukrainian capital; Zelenskyy says ‘significant’ part of talks in Saudi Arabia will concern security guarantees Continue reading...The Guardian - 6d -
What we know about Ukraine willing to accept a 30-day ceasefire with Russia
The U.S. held talks with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia on potential next steps for an end to the war with Russia. Officials say Ukraine is willing to accept the terms of a temporary ceasefire ...CBS News - 5d -
As Russia Tries to Push Ukraine Out of Kursk, Here’s What to Know
President Trump and President Vladimir V. Putin both claimed that Ukrainian forces were surrounded. Ukraine’s top military commander vowed to “hold the line.”The New York Times - 2d -
Macron says French-British blueprint doesn’t foresee deploying a 'mass' of soldiers in Ukraine
French President Emmanuel Macron has outlined plans for a military support force for Ukraine, developed by France, the UK, and other nations in a “coalition of the willing.”ABC News - 10h -
Ukraine bombards Russia with largest drone barrage of war, Moscow says
Russia's Defense Ministry said its forces shot down 343 Ukrainian drones overnight, in what appeared to be Kyiv's largest ever cross-border aerial attack.ABC News - 5d
More from The Guardian
-
Kremlin confirms Trump-Putin call on Tuesday as European leaders question Russia’s intentions – Europe live
Russian leader and US president to speak by phone and discuss Ukraine ceasefire plan. Mark Carney, the new Canadian prime minister, has arrived in Paris on his first stop of a visit to France ...The Guardian - 11m -
Houthis and US both vow escalation after wave of deadly American airstrikes in Yemen – Middle East crisis live
US says airstrikes are intended to deter rebel group from attacking Red Sea shipping. Germany is pledging a further €300m ($326m; £252m) in aid for Syrians through the UN and select organisations, ...The Guardian - 19m -
Canada PM Carney visits France and UK as Trump trade war deepens
Carney aims to bolster European alliances in wake of US president’s attacks on Canada’s sovereignty. Mark Carney, the new Canadian prime minister, has arrived in Paris on his first stop of a visit ...The Guardian - 1h -
Italy one of five ‘dismantlers’ causing ‘democratic recession’ in Europe, report says
Civil liberties report warns that Italy along with Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Slovakia intentionally undermining rule of law ‘in nearly all aspects’. Italy’s government has profoundly ...The Guardian - 7h -
Japan to deploy long-range missiles able to hit North Korea and China
Planned missiles on Kyushu said to be part of ‘counterstrike capabilities’, as fears grow over US security pact. Japan is planning to deploy long-range missiles on its southern island of Kyushu ...The Guardian - 17m
More in World
-
Kremlin confirms Trump-Putin call on Tuesday as European leaders question Russia’s intentions – Europe live
Russian leader and US president to speak by phone and discuss Ukraine ceasefire plan. Mark Carney, the new Canadian prime minister, has arrived in Paris on his first stop of a visit to France ...The Guardian - 11m -
Japan to deploy long-range missiles able to hit North Korea and China
Planned missiles on Kyushu said to be part of ‘counterstrike capabilities’, as fears grow over US security pact. Japan is planning to deploy long-range missiles on its southern island of Kyushu ...The Guardian - 17m -
Houthis and US both vow escalation after wave of deadly American airstrikes in Yemen – Middle East crisis live
US says airstrikes are intended to deter rebel group from attacking Red Sea shipping. Germany is pledging a further €300m ($326m; £252m) in aid for Syrians through the UN and select organisations, ...The Guardian - 19m -
Telegram founder returns to Dubai as French inquiry continues
Pavel Durov allowed to leave France, where he is under investigation over criminal activity on messaging app. Pavel Durov, the Russian-born founder and CEO of Telegram, has said that he has ...The Guardian - 30m -
FirstFT: OECD cuts global growth forecast
Also in today’s newsletter, Trump and Putin to hold Ukraine talks and Netanyahu plans to sack Shin Bet chiefFinancial Times - 37m