Third anniversary of Bucha's liberation, visit of politicians from Europe and Le Pen's verdict: March 31 highlights
French far-right politician Marine Le Pen was found guilty of misusing European Parliament funds. Parliamentarians from 17 European countries and Donald Trump’s personal pastor visited Ukraine. hromadske announced the winners of its third LIFT short documentary film festival. Here’s a roundup of the top news for March 31.
Trump’s pastor and parliamentarians from across Europe visit on third anniversary of Bucha's liberation
Speakers and deputy speakers from the parliaments of 17 European countries, along with European Parliament representatives, arrived in Kyiv for a visit.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, joined by the first lady, Ukrainian and foreign politicians, marked the third anniversary of Bucha’s liberation by honoring those killed during the occupation of parts of Kyiv Oblast.w
Additionally, Mark Burns, personal spiritual adviser to U.S. President Donald Trump, visited Bucha during his trip to Ukraine.
Le Pen sentenced to prison
French far-right politician Marine Le Pen was convicted of misusing European Parliament funds to pay parliamentary assistants. She received a four-year prison sentence, a €100,000 fine, and a five-year ban from running for office.
Her lawyer announced plans to appeal the ruling.
IMF transfers money to Ukraine, and Sweden announces largest aid package
Ukraine’s state budget received about $400 million in the latest tranche from the International Monetary Fund.
Meanwhile, Sweden allocated its largest military aid package to Ukraine, worth nearly $1.6 billion, supporting air defense, artillery, satellite communications, and maritime capabilities.
Ukraine and US hold 'first long conversation' on new minerals deal
Public broadcaster Suspilne, citing a source, reported that on March 28, Ukrainian and U.S. representatives held their first extended discussion on a working draft of a minerals agreement proposed by the White House.
However, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Zelenskyy wants to back out of signing the deal, warning of “big problems” if he does.
hromadske announced the winners of the LIFT short documentary film festival
On March 29, Kyiv’s Zhovten cinema hosted the third LIFT short documentary film festival by hromadske, aimed at supporting young filmmakers telling vital stories about modern Ukraine.
Eight films made the shortlist this year. The jury selected three winners, awarding cash prizes for future work:
- Walk, Daria Zhuravel (25,000 hryvnias ($603) and publication of the film on the hromadske YouTube channel);
- Language Barrier, Zhora Papoyan (15,000 hryvnias ($362));
VITA, Vita Stoykova (10,000 hryvnias ($241)).
Items were stolen from the grave of Azovstal defender Nazariy Hryntsevych in Vinnytsia
Unknown individuals again looted the grave of Nazariy Hryntsevych (call sign: Hrienka), the youngest defender of Azovstal, at the Sabariv-1 cemetery in Vinnytsia. His mother said a wooden mace and three candles were taken.
Police opened a criminal case and are searching for those responsible.
Other news
- BBC Ukraine reported that the President’s Office has not held meetings about holding elections in July, contrary to claims by The Economist.
- Russian troops are attempting to use underground utilities to infiltrate behind Ukrainian lines in Toretsk.
- The phone of Belarusian opposition figure Anzhelika Melnikova, who vanished in Poland, has been traced to Belarus since March 19.
- The wife of a Russian soldier who called for raping women in Ukraine was sentenced in absentia to prison.