March 28. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told journalists that President Zelensky has made false claims about alleged US demands for the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from Donbas in exchange for security guarantees. Rubio emphasized the US has made no such demands and that any security guarantees are possible only after the war ends.
At the G7 meeting, disputes between EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and Rubio illustrated ongoing tensions concerning Ukraine. Kallas criticized the US for what she called insufficient anti-Russian positions. Trump administration representatives warned allies the US might pause arms shipments to Ukraine if the Middle East war continues, with Rubio expecting the joint operation with Israel against Iran to end in 3-4 weeks.
Zelensky stated there are currently no dates for new trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, the US, and Russia. The US team is limited to meeting stateside, while Russia refuses such locations. According to Kyrylo Budanov, bilateral talks are underway instead.
Main Middle East negotiations are proceeding without US participation, though remote involvement is possible. The Trump administration has officially announced there are no direct plans for a ground invasion of Iran, despite deploying additional troops to the region. The situation remains unpredictable.
Differences persist between Europe and the US over the future of security in Ukraine: Americans criticize Europeans' unwillingness to engage fully in NATO initiatives, while European leaders accuse the US of insufficient pressure on Russia. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized Trump’s escalatory stance in the Middle East.
Fighting in Ukraine continues: Russia strikes regions including Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, Kherson, Poltava, Donetsk, Chernihiv, and Sumy, resulting in casualties. Russia claims to have shot down Ukrainian drones, while Ukraine reports successful attacks on Russian infrastructure.
In Odesa, authorities are investigating an alleged abduction and use of force against a family by enlistment office representatives. Separately, information about MP Yuriy Koryavchenkov’s travels abroad has been denied release due to martial law.
The situation remains uncertain both militarily and diplomatically. The US, Europe, Russia, and Middle Eastern countries continue to seek ways to resolve this complex, multi-layered conflict.
