US aid, intelligence sharing pause, decision allowing artists to travel abroad: March 5 highlights
The CIA confirmed that the U.S. has suspended the transfer of weapons and intelligence to Ukraine. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted a resolution that will allow artists and media workers to travel abroad. Kyiv said goodbye to fallen soldier Vasyl Ratushnyi. Here are the top news stories of March 5.
US suspends transfer of weapons and intelligence to Ukraine
Following reports from several media outlets, U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Ratcliffe confirmed that the U.S. has suspended the supply of weapons and the transfer of intelligence to Ukraine.
However, he expects the pause to be lifted after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy informs his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump of his readiness for peace talks. The U.S. president has already thanked his Ukrainian counterpart for the “letter.”
Ukraine and the US have begun working on a meeting
U.S. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz held a telephone conversation with Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak about future peace talks. According to the adviser, they discussed the venue and date of the talks during the conversation.
Later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine and the U.S. have begun working on a bilateral meeting.
Kyiv says goodbye to Vasyl Ratushnyi
A farewell ceremony was held in Kyiv for Ukrainian defender Vasyl Ratushnyi, who died on Feb. 27 as a result of an FPV drone strike. He is the older brother of public activist Roman Ratushnyi, who died in 2022.
Several hundred people came to say goodbye to the hero, including relatives of the deceased, in particular his mother and grandmother, as well as fellow soldiers and others.
Culture Ministry says it may resume issuing letters to facilitate artists' departure abroad
The Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communication announced its readiness to resume issuing letters to facilitate the departure of cultural figures abroad. The government has already adopted a resolution that creates the legal basis for their temporary departure from Ukraine.
The Ministry of Culture assured that the agency will be ready to resume accepting requests as early as March 6.
Most bodies transferred from Russian prisons show signs of torture
The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that 80% of the bodies of Ukrainians repatriated from Russian detention facilities show signs of torture. This includes not only the use of physical force, but also inadequate detention conditions — insufficient food, lack of medical care, etc.
Law enforcement officials said that it is often difficult to determine the date of death due to the condition of the bodies returned by the Russians.
Macron to launch discussion on France's use of nuclear weapons to protect EU
French President Emmanuel Macron said he has decided to start a discussion on the use of French nuclear weapons to protect the entire European Union.
He also called on allies to produce more weapons so that the EU and Ukraine are "less dependent on the rest of the world."
Other news
- Russian invasion forces are trying to break through the border in Sumy Oblast to cut off the logistics routes of Ukrainian troops.
- The Netherlands is investing 700 million euros in the production of drones for Ukraine.
- Experts continue to identify the remains of Ukrainian soldiers handed over by the Russians, who, according to the aggressor, allegedly died in the crash of an Il-76 plane over Belgorod Oblast in January 2024.
- Politico: Members of the European Parliament from the Volt Europa party will send a plan to EU leaders, which, among other things, will call for depriving Hungary of its voting rights after it repeatedly blocked joint decisions.
- Share: