The United States continues to play a key role in the war in Ukraine. For example, Trump is offering concessions to Putin in the negotiations on Ukraine, which has caused concern in Kyiv. Meanwhile, the US has partially restored funding to Radio Liberty, and senators have called on the White House to use Russia's frozen assets to support Ukraine. Amid these developments, Ukraine is stepping up international cooperation, with sports scientists set to undertake internships in the United States and an update on the underground nuclear power plant agreement, which could include the ZNPP issue.
Trump makes concessions to Putin in Ukraine talks
US President Donald Trump is trying to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, but his approach is causing concern. Trump has made several concessions to Russia, including holding direct talks with Putin without Ukraine's participation and discussing the possibility of ceding Ukrainian territory. These actions weaken Ukraine's position and could lead to a deal unfavorable to Kyiv.
Trump comments on Zelenskyy's remarks about Russian influence on his team
US President Donald Trump reacted to Volodymyr Zelenskyy's remarks about the possible influence of Russian information on representatives of the US administration. Trump noted that his team is committed to a peaceful resolution of the conflict and stressed the need to resolve this issue as both Ukraine and Russia are interested in ending the war.
US partially resumes funding for Radio Liberty
US partially restores funding to Radio Liberty The United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) has decided to provide Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) with part of its funding for the period of court hearings on the termination of its funding agreement. Specifically, the broadcaster will receive $7.46 million to cover the two-week period from 1 to 14 March. The funds are expected to arrive by the end of the month, but the question of full funding remains open.
Court hearings are ongoing, with the RVE/RS leadership insisting that the USAGM's decision to cut off funding is illegal. The agency's lawyers, on the other hand, argue that the law allows for funding to be cut off if conditions are not met. The court is expected to rule on further funding in the coming weeks.
ZNPP draft agreement
Serhiy Leshchenko, advisor to the head of the Ukrainian presidential administration, said, that the draft agreement approved by the Ukrainian government on 26 February does not yet contain any provisions on Europe's largest nuclear power plant, the Zaporizhzhya NPP. According to him, the American side has expressed a desire to expand the agreement, but the changes have not yet been approved by the Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers.
Leshchenko stressed that any changes to the agreement must be approved by the government. He also noted that the Ukrainian side is open to discussing the integration of ZNPP into the energy system of Ukraine and Europe, if the US is willing to invest in its restoration. At the same time, the issue remains open and possible changes in the future cannot be ruled out.
Russia's frozen assets
A group of US senators is urges the Trump administration to increase pressure on Russia by using more than $300 billion in frozen assets to support Ukraine. In an appeal to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the senators ask whether the White House is considering using these funds as leverage in negotiations with Moscow.
The senators stressed that the US must convince its allies in the EU and G7 to take a decision on the use of Russian assets. To date, only a percentage of the blocked funds have been used to help Ukraine, while a significant portion of the assets remain untouched. Lawmakers are demanding that the administration come up with a specific strategy for their use.
Author: Danylo Pievchev