Oil prices showed their strongest weekly gain since spring 2020 due to the conflict in the Middle East, which halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent futures rose by 24%, and WTI by almost 30%.
Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Andriy Sybiha announced the abduction of 19 Ukrainians in Sumy region, who were forcibly deported and shown on a propaganda channel. Ukraine demands the immediate return of its citizens, emphasizing the violation of international humanitarian law.
International Energy Agency Director Fatih Birol stated there is a "huge surplus" of oil in the markets, but warned of a potential "gas bidding war" due to the conflict in the Middle East. Oil prices have risen by 50% since the beginning of the year, and the Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed to tankers.
Hungary has not taken real steps to release the seven Ukrainians detained with armored vehicles or to allow consular access to them. Ukraine continues to demand their release and consular access.
Ukraine reserves the right to initiate sanctions against those involved in the seizure of Ukrainians in Hungary. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is convening the foreign diplomatic corps to inform them about Hungary's unacceptable actions.
US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, reported on ongoing peace talks between Ukraine, the US, and Russia. Further progress is expected, and the recent prisoner exchange confirms the success of Trump's diplomacy.
The United States has asked Ukraine for help in protecting its bases and soldiers in the Middle East. Ukrainian specialists will begin work in the coming days.
Dubai's main airline, Emirates, expects to return to full network operation in the coming days. The airline will restore 60% of its route network by March 7, operating 106 daily flights.
Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko stated that Ukrnafta will sell fuel with a minimal markup. The AMCU and the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection have been instructed to strengthen price control.
Russia is providing Iran with intelligence on the location of American military facilities for strikes in the Middle East. This assistance indicates the involvement of one of America's main nuclear rivals in the war.
The National Police of Ukraine has initiated criminal proceedings regarding the abduction of Ukrainian citizens and a service vehicle belonging to JSC "Oschadbank" on the territory of Hungary. Information has been entered into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations under articles concerning unlawful deprivation of liberty and hostage-taking.
The European Commission is aware of media reports about Hungary detaining Ukrainian citizens, but is not providing further comments. This happened after the detention of Oschadbank collectors with a large sum of money and gold.
Seven Ukrainian citizens, detained in Hungary with armored vehicles transporting $40 million, €35 million, and 9 kg of gold, have reportedly already been deported. Ukraine demands explanations from Hungary regarding the detention and release of its citizens.
NBU Governor Andriy Pyshnyi has sent a team to Budapest to clarify the situation with the seized Oschadbank cash-in-transit crews and vehicles. Ukraine demands the release of its citizens from Hungary and an explanation for the detention.
EU ambassadors stated that member states would not accept the 'membership first, then integration' model for Ukraine. This resistance blocks the model that the European Commission had been promoting for Ukraine's accession to the EU by 2027.
President Zelenskyy announced the second stage of the prisoner exchange, within which 300 Ukrainian defenders are returning home. Among those released are servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the National Guard, and border guards who defended Ukraine in various directions.
Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets reported the alleged abduction and removal of 19 Ukrainians from the village of Sopych in the Sumy region. He appealed to the Russian Commissioner for Human Rights with a demand to organize a visit and return of the citizens.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced the return of 300 servicemen in exchange for 300 captured Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel. This is the second stage of the 500-for-500 exchange, following the return of 200 Ukrainians.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine does not recommend Ukrainian citizens to travel to Hungary. The reason is the abduction of seven Ukrainians and the theft of state bank property in Budapest.
The Hungarian National Tax and Customs Administration detained seven Ukrainian citizens with two armored vehicles containing $40 million, €35 million, and 9 kg of gold. They are suspected in a 'money laundering' case.
Ukraine's international reserves decreased by 5% to $54. 8 billion at the beginning of March. This was due to currency sales and public debt payments, although the volume of reserves remains sufficient.
Hungary has not granted Ukrainian consuls access to seven citizens detained in Budapest. Ukraine demands their immediate release and is preparing an appeal to the EU.
Four men have been arrested in London on suspicion of spying for Iran. They were monitoring the Jewish community, and six others have been detained for aiding and abetting.
Indian company Reliance Industries Ltd. plans to purchase Russian oil after receiving a temporary license from the United States. This decision will allow India to ease pressure on energy markets caused by the conflict in the Middle East.
The SBU detained a foreigner who, on behalf of the Russian Federation, was preparing a double terrorist attack in Kyiv, planting explosives under a Ukrainian military's car and another nearby. The suspect has been notified of suspicion and a pre-trial detention measure has been chosen.
Kremlin officials are criticizing the US for military operations against Iran, using the escalation in the Middle East. This sets the stage for blaming the US for potential failures in peace talks on Ukraine.
Due to hostilities and shelling of energy infrastructure, some communities in Donetsk, Kherson, Chernihiv, and Kharkiv regions are temporarily without electricity. In some regions, hourly outage schedules are in effect for all categories of consumers.
34,842 applicants already have active NMT participant accounts, 23,451 of which were created through "Diia". 5,867 entrants chose an overseas location to take the NMT.
The UAE's national airline, Etihad Airways, is resuming a limited flight schedule from its hub in Abu Dhabi starting Friday. The carrier plans to fly to over 70 destinations by March 19.
The US and Qatar are discussing the acquisition of Ukrainian drones to shoot down Iranian "Shaheds," a source reports.
