.png)
German (DE) 
English (US) 
Spanish (ES) 
French (FR) 
Hindi (IN) 
Italian (IT) 
Russian (RU) 
6 hours ago
1
by
Kateryna Hodunova
March 19, 2025 7:16 PM
(Updated: March 19, 2025 7:40 PM)
1 min read
This audio is created with AI assistance
President Volodymyr Zelensky said he agreed to stop strikes on Russian energy infrastructure during a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on March 19.
"One of the first steps toward fully ending the war could be ending strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure. I supported this step, and Ukraine confirmed that we are ready to implement it," Zelensky said on X following the hour-long call with Trump.
The call between Trump and Zelensky came a day after the U.S. president spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the phone.
Following the call, Putin announced he had agreed to a 30-day truce on strikes on energy infrastructure. The same night — overnight on March 19 —Russia carried out a large-scale drone attack that targeted energy infrastructure and other facilities.
Russia has been bombing Ukraine's civilian energy infrastructure since 2022 and has been steadily expanding its air campaigns in recent months, with bombardments by swarms of Shahed drones now a nightly occurrence.
Ukraine has also launched regular drone attacks on Russia in response. On the night of March 10, over 330 Ukrainian drones targeted Moscow. Other strikes have targeted Russia's fossil fuel infrastructure.
Trump’s push for regime change in Ukraine has only boosted Zelensky
The debate over Ukraine’s elections and future leadership is intensifying. With peace talks gaining momentum, calls for elections are growing louder, and both the Russian and American sides are questioning Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s legitimacy. However, criticism from the Kremlin and t…
The Kyiv IndependentOlena Yermakova
Most popular
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.News Feed
7:58 PM
7:16 PM
(Updated: March 19, 2025 7:40 pm)
Zelensky agrees to halt strikes on Russian energy infrastructure during call with Trump.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said he agreed to stop strikes on Russian energy infrastructure during a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on March 19.
Ukrainian writer on canceling Russian culture.
The Kyiv Independent's Kate Tsurkan sits down with Ukrainian writer Oksana Zabuzhko to discuss the role of writers and intellectuals in wartime, the importance of decolonization in Ukraine’s education, and why she wouldn't share a stage with Russian artists until Ukraine's victory.
7:07 PM
Leading Ukrainian mobile operator Kyivstar acquires ride-hailing service Uklon for $155 million.
Ukraine’s largest telecom operator, Kyivstar, has signed an agreement to acquire Uklon, a leading ride-hailing and delivery platform in the country, for $155.2 million, Kyistar’s parent company, Veon, announced in a press release on March 19.
6:42 PM
US, Russian officials to meet in Saudi Arabia in 'coming days,' Waltz says.
National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said he had discussed Trump's efforts to end the war in Ukraine with Yuri Ushakov, a close adviser to Putin.
5:22 PM
Trump, Zelensky hold hour-long phone call, discuss aligning Russia and Ukraine's 'requests and needs,' US president says.
"Just completed a very good telephone call with President Zelensky of Ukraine. It lasted approximately one hour. Much of the discussion was based on the call made yesterday with President Putin in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs," U.S. President Donald Trump said following the conversation.
Ukraine denies Russian claims of thwarted attempt to invade Belgorod Oblast — here’s what we know.
On March 18, Russia’s Defense Ministry said it had stopped a significant Ukrainian ground assault from entering Russia’s Belgorod Oblast, a claim that Ukraine swiftly denied as a propaganda effort.
4:24 PM
Ukraine brings home 175 prisoners of war in swap with Russia.
Ukraine has brought home 175 Ukrainian soldiers in a one-for-one prisoner exchange with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on March 19.
4:19 PM
'Putin is playing a game here' — Germany's Pistorius criticizes Trump's ceasefire call with Moscow.
"After this supposedly groundbreaking, great phone call, the Russian attacks have not decreased," Boris Pistorius said.
4:14 PM
Ukraine ceasefire could be reached 'in a couple of weeks,' Witkoff says.
“I actually think in a couple of weeks we’re going to get to it (a ceasefire). So, lots of good things. Now it’s for the technical teams to dot the I’s and cross the T’s. And everybody is committed to that process," said U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff.
3:48 PM
Germany agrees on additional $3.3 billion in military aid for Ukraine.
The outgoing German government agreed to release an additional 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) in military assistance for Ukraine, a German Finance Ministry spokesperson confirmed for the Kyiv Independent on March 19.
3:19 PM
US court blocks cuts to USAID, says Musk's DOGE likely violated Constitution.
The court order requires the Trump administration to restore email and computer access to all USAID employees, including those on administrative leave. However, it does not reinstate the agency in full or reverse staff firings.
3:10 PM
Trump Jr., Witkoff, Carlson involved in secret talks with Zelensky's rivals, Politico reports.
U.S. President Donald Trump's son, Donald Jr., news host Tucker Carlson, Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, and special envoy Steve Witkoff were involved in backchannel talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky's political rivals, Politico reported on March 18, citing undisclosed sources.
2:41 PM
Ukraine to compile list of energy sites Russia must stop attacking, Zelensky says.
"And if the Russians don't hit our facilities, we won't hit their facilities," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
2:02 PM
RFE/RL sues Trump administration over funding cuts.
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) sued the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) on March 18 over the termination of grant funding, calling the action unconstitutional.
12:26 PM
(Updated: March 19, 2025 1:24 pm)
Zelensky announces talk with Trump on March 19; says Russia attacked Ukraine's power grid despite claimed pause.
"Today, I will contact President Trump. We will discuss the details of the next steps," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
1:09 PM
Russia claims it downed 7 own drones to uphold energy ceasefire; Kyiv says Moscow launched 145.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russian drones targeted energy facilities, hospitals, and civilian infrastructure. Outages were reported in the Donetsk Oblast city of Sloviansk.
12:40 PM
US reportedly assures EU about role in Ukraine peace talks as Russia seeks sanctions relief.
The move may reassure European leaders, who have expressed concerns that the U.S. would attempt to broker a deal without their involvement.
9:10 AM
(Updated: March 19, 2025 11:59 am)
Updated: 2 killed, 19 injured in Russian attacks against Ukraine over past day.
Russia launched two Iskander-M ballistic missiles, four S-300 anti-aircraft missiles, and 145 attack and decoy drones against Ukraine overnight, the Air Force reported. Ukrainian air defenses shot down 72 drones over 12 oblasts, while 56 decoy drones disappeared from radars without causing damage, according to the statement.
11:46 AM
Nordics, Baltics urge concrete steps toward Ukraine's EU membership.
In a joint letter, the foreign ministers of Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia called on Brussels to put forward "concrete proposals on how to decisively advance Ukraine's accession process."
11:34 AM
US scales down efforts in countering Russian sabotage, Reuters reports.
Under former U.S. President Joe Biden, the National Security Council coordinated the effort of at least seven security agencies, who worked with European partners to disrupt Russia's escalating hybrid activities across the European continent.
Comments