Politics
Zelenskyy secured an agreement in Madrid on military cooperation and €1 billion in aid from Spain
During his visit to Spain, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held meetings and took part in the signing of defence agreements. The parties also announced a new package of military aid.
The Trump administration sees peace with Russia as a way of countering China
The Trump administration believes that an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine could shift the global balance of power in the US’s favour. One of the stated aims is to weaken China’s influence.
The US has instructed all its embassies to urgently review security measures in light of the situation in the Middle East
The US State Department has ordered all diplomatic missions worldwide to carry out an immediate security assessment. This is due to developments in the Middle East and their potential repercussions beyond the region.
Israel has announced that it has killed Iran’s intelligence minister in a strike on Tehran
Israel has reported the death of Iran’s intelligence minister, Ismail Hatib, following an air strike on Tehran. There has been no official comment on this from Iran.
The court has ordered the resumption of Voice of America broadcasts and the reinstatement of a thousand employees
In the US, a federal judge has ruled that the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) must reverse its decision to furlough more than 1,000 Voice of America staff members.
The IMF is concerned about funding for Ukraine: the Rada is holding up the programme’s conditions
The International Monetary Fund has expressed concern over Ukraine’s ability to continue receiving funding under the $8.1 billion package, as the Verkhovna Rada is delaying the adoption of amendments without which new tranches could be blocked. This relates, in particular, to tax amendments for businesses and households, which parliament must approve by the end of March
Iran has reported an attack on a nuclear power plant where Russians are working
Iran has informed the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that a shell struck the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant on the evening of 17 March. There have been no reports of damage to the plant or of any staff being injured.
Zelenskyy said he had a “bad feeling” about the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on the war in Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned of a potential shortage of missiles used in the war against Russia, due to the conflict in the Middle East. According to him, this is linked to the redeployment of US resources.
Trump has suggested the possibility of ‘taking Cuba’; Havana has responded by stating its readiness to resist
US President Donald Trump has stated that he could ‘take Cuba’, describing it as a ‘great honour’. In response, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has declared the country’s readiness to resist in the event of aggression.
The US House of Representatives Committee has summoned Attorney General Pam Bondi in connection with the Epstein case
The US House of Representatives Oversight Committee has summoned Attorney General Pam Bondi to give evidence as part of an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The hearing is to take place behind closed doors.
The US may ease sanctions against Venezuela to boost oil production – Bloomberg
The Trump administration plans to take further steps to ease sanctions against Venezuela’s oil sector in order to boost crude oil production amid rising oil prices caused by the conflict over Iran.
Iraq and Kurdistan have agreed to resume oil exports via Turkey
Iraq, the second-largest member of OPEC+, has found an alternative to the closed Strait of Hormuz by agreeing to resume oil transit via the Kurdish section of the pipeline.
