RFE
21 Mar 2025, 21:19 GMT+10
The Kremlins read-out of Vladimir Putins phone call with US President Donald Trump appeared on its website at 8:15 p.m. Moscow time on March 18: Putin,the readout said,had agreed to a US cease-fire proposal to halt Russian strikes on Ukraines energy infrastructure for 30 days.
But even before the call ended, Russian attack drones were in the air.
Within minutes of the calls conclusion, Ukrainian energy and other targets were being pounded in attacks that continued for hours. Two hospitals -- technically protected under international law were badly damaged. Ukraine hit an oil pipeline complex in southern Russia.
A day later, on March 19, Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy held their own phone call, and the Ukrainian president said he accepted the proposed cease-fire. But Zelenskyy told reporters that everything will continue to fly.
If the Russians definitely dont strike our facilities, we wont hit theirs,Zelenskyy said.
And they did: Russia launched more than 170 drones at Ukraine early on March 20. Ukraine used long-range drones to attack an air base where Russian long-range bombers are housed and reportedly used a new long-range missile to hit a refinery as well.
Get a daily dose of St Petersburg Star news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to St Petersburg Star.
More InformationWASHINGTON, D.C.: The Trump administration is considering strict new travel restrictions for citizens of dozens of countries, according...
Ukraine blew up a Russian gas facility just days after a mutual agreement not to do just that. As if anyone expected something different....
The Kremlins read-out of Vladimir Putins phone call with US President Donald Trump appeared on its website at 8:15 p.m. Moscow time...
The move would trigger retaliation from Moscow, Bart De Wever has warned Confiscating...
The move would trigger retaliation from Moscow, Bart De Wever has warned Confiscating Russian assets frozen in the EU would be considered...
The Netherlands is contemplating a plan to increase its total defense personnel from 75,000 to 200,000 The Netherlands is weighing...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: A Delta Air Lines plane's wing hit the runway at LaGuardia Airport during a rough landing over the weekend....
AUSTIN/SANTA FE: Measles cases in Texas and New Mexico increased to 317 on March 18, up from 294 four days earlier, as the U.S. faces...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Trump administration is considering strict new travel restrictions for citizens of dozens of countries, according...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: The Trump administration announced this week that Maine's education officials violated federal law by allowing transgender...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Severe storms and tornadoes continued to threaten parts of Pennsylvania, New York, and several Mid-Atlantic...
As Israeli tanks rolled into Gaza on Wednesday heralding a new ground invasion, a UN building was destroyed in a bombing, killing one...