According to Kiev, Russia has withdrawn troops around the capital, but is carrying missiles to southeast Belarus. The situation in Mariupol is terrible, where “the Russians are pulverizing the city”. For Ukrainian intelligence, Moscow’s goal is to divide the country in two, after having failed in its attempt to take control of the whole territory. Meanwhile, the Kiev and Moscow mediators will meet in Turkey, with Erdogan leading the search for mediation. The head of the Russian delegation Vladimir Medinsky explained that the “face to face” meetings will take place on 29 and 30 March. Zelensky, who did not speak at the Oscars, opened again on neutrality but added nothing on the recognition of the Russian-speaking ‘rebel’ republics, while in Lugansk the possibility of promoting a referendum for annexation to Russia is being raised. And Germany is considering purchasing a missile defense system to protect itself from a potential Russian attack. Finally, Biden corrects the game: “I did not ask for regime change in Moscow.”
Zelensky: ready to accept neutrality status
Ukraine is ready to accept neutrality status as part of a peace agreement with Russia. President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in an interview with independent Russian journalists reported by CNN. «Security guarantees and the neutral and non-nuclear status of our state: we are ready to accept it. This is the most important point, ”Zelensky said. “It was the first point of principle for the Russian Federation, as far as I remember. And as far as I remember – underlined the Ukrainian president – they started the war for this ».
Erdogan to Putin: ceasefire necessary
The Turkish president, Tayyip Erdogan, in a phone call with the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, stressed the need for a ceasefire and better humanitarian conditions. He explained his office to him in a statement. “Erdogan noted the importance of a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, the implementation of peace and the improvement of humanitarian conditions in the region,” the statement read.
Scholz: “Germany evaluates missile defense system”
Germany is considering purchasing a missile defense system to protect itself from a potential Russian attack, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said. “This is certainly one of the issues we are discussing, and for good reason,” the chancellor told the public broadcaster Ard and also quoted by the BBC when asked if Germany could buy a defense system like the Iron. Dome of Israel. However, Scholz did not specify what kind of system Berlin is considering. “We need to be aware that we have a neighbor who is ready to use violence to assert their interests,” he explained.
Czech Republic freezes assets of Russian oligarchs
The Czech Republic has frozen assets worth millions of euros belonging to Russian tycoons hit by EU sanctions. This was announced by Prime Minister Petr Fiala, quoted by the international media. Fiala also said the government must take care of Czech citizens working in local companies owned by the sanctioned Russian individuals, but ruled out the idea of nationalizing their businesses.