Zelenskyy's visit to Turkey, evacuation of Ukrainians from Gaza: highlights for March 8
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Turkey and held talks with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Ukraine evacuated 59 Ukrainians and their families from Gaza. Former deputy head of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Tymoshenko was appointed an advisor to Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. We have collected the main news for March 8.
Zelenskyy in Turkey
Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived on a visit to the Turkish city of Istanbul. There he met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Following the meeting, the Turkish leader announced that he wanted to hold a peace summit in his country. It should allegedly include representatives of Russia. At the same time, Zelenskyy handed him a list of Ukrainian citizens held captive by Russia. It included prisoners of war and Crimean Tatars.
In addition, the Ukrainian leader visited a corvette of the Ukrainian Navy, which Turkey manufactured for Ukraine. Zelenskyy named the ship after Hetman Ivan Vyhovskyi.
Evacuation of Ukrainians from Gaza
On March 7-8, Ukraine conducted another stage of evacuation of Ukrainian citizens and their families from the Gaza Strip. It managed to evacuate 59 people.
They are currently staying in a hotel in Egypt, but will be brought back to Ukraine soon.
Tymoshenko becomes Umerov's deputy
Former deputy head of the Presidential Office Kyrylo Tymoshenko has been appointed an advisor to Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. Earlier, he resigned from his previous position after a scandal involving an SUV provided to Ukraine for humanitarian missions, which he used for his own needs.
At the same time, the Defense Ministry said that the former deputy head of the Presidential Office is in charge of media and communications, coordinating information policy in the ministry.
Estonia promised a security agreement and new military aid
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna has announced that his country intends to sign a bilateral agreement on security guarantees with Ukraine.
Estonia has also announced a new defense package for the Ukrainian army. It should be delivered next week.
EU announces second tranche for Ukraine
The European Commission has confirmed that Ukraine will receive the first tranche of the Ukraine Facility this month, in March. The second installment will be disbursed in April and will amount to €1.5 billion.
A soldier was found dead in Odesa Oblast
A Ukrainian serviceman was found dead in the street in the city of Podilsk, Odesa Oblast. The man was found in the city center, he was wearing a military uniform.
Law enforcement officers have already registered the incident in the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations under Part 1 of Article 115 (premeditated murder) of the Criminal Code. Law enforcement officers are currently establishing the circumstances of the incident and conducting operational and investigative measures aimed at exposing those involved in the crime.
Approaching a resolution of the dispute with Poland
Taras Kachka, Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade Representative of Ukraine, said that the governments of Ukraine and Poland are close to resolving the dispute over the export of Ukrainian agricultural products.
He stressed that Ukraine is ready to take into account the interests of its neighbors, ready for the necessary rules or instruments in a bilateral trade agreement with the EU to balance the impact of trade on the region.
Other news
- Canada will join the coalition of drones for Ukraine – Minister of Defense.
- Police detained two residents of Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast who attacked military enlistment office workers with axes.
- Ukrainian mobilization reserve stands at almost 5 million men, according to a study.
- Ukraine manages to return 10 more children from occupation.