EU Commissioner Kubilius called for an urgent increase in weapons production due to the shortage of Patriot missiles. The EU plans to provide Ukraine with a loan of 90 billion euros.
Russia attacked energy infrastructure and railways in several regions of Ukraine. In Kharkiv, seven people died due to a ballistic missile strike on a building; debris removal is ongoing.
Ukraine secured the release of seven citizens who were held in Budapest. They have already crossed the Ukrainian border and are safe.
President Zelenskyy held a security meeting in the Donetsk region, where tasks for protecting critical infrastructure and repairing roads were identified. They also discussed the region's preparation for the heating season and counter-sabotage measures.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded soldiers of the 12th Azov Brigade with orders and presented Denys Prokopenko with the insignia of a brigadier general. They discussed the situation at the front and the needs of the military.
President Zelenskyy stated that Russia is not giving up on the war and is preparing a spring offensive in the Donetsk region. He emphasized the importance of strong positions and sufficient provision for Ukrainian brigades.
The European Commission has called unacceptable the rhetoric of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The EC stated that there can be no threats against EU member states.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that the European Commission supports Ukraine and is cooperating with Croatia to block Russian oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia. According to him, Kyiv refuses to resume oil transit for political reasons.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a law on a daily nationwide minute of silence at 9:00 AM. It will honor the memory of fallen soldiers, civilians, and all victims of Russian aggression.
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.
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.
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 Hungarian Prime Minister claims that Ukraine has imposed an oil embargo against Hungary, and he will use all means to overcome it. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico supported Orban and threatened to block an EU loan for Ukraine.
All Ukrainian servicemen exchanged on March 5 require urgent medical attention due to serious medical problems and exhaustion. Among them are defenders of Mariupol and a serviceman who voluntarily joined the Defense Forces.
Westminster Magistrates' Court denied Ukraine's extradition request for MP Artem Dmytruk, who is suspected of assault, citing "SBU torture. " The judge noted that extradition would disproportionately affect his right to respect for private and family life.
President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine will continue the diplomatic process when American partners are ready to work in the agreed format. He emphasized that Ukraine must be ready to resume diplomacy at any moment.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed with Giorgia Meloni the situation around Iran, challenges in the oil and fuel market. They also talked about a 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine and the situation with the Paralympic Games.
Donald Trump stated that Volodymyr Zelenskyy should make a deal, as Putin is allegedly ready for peace. The American leader believes that Zelenskyy is not showing sufficient readiness for negotiations.
Ukraine has received a request from the United States for support in defending against "Shaheds" in the Middle East. President Zelenskyy has instructed to provide the necessary means and specialists.
President Zelenskyy held a meeting with the Cabinet of Ministers, the Verkhovna Rada, and the Office regarding the results of the government's work and tasks for spring-summer. They discussed energy restoration, Ukraine's defense, the state of roads, relations with the EU, and pension indexation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that 30-35 thousand Russians die in the war every month. He also noted that the initiative on the battlefield is not in Russia's hands.
President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine has not received long-range weapons with a range of over 200–250 km from its partners. All systems with a greater range were developed by Ukrainian specialists.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Naftogaz CEO Serhiy Koretskyy stated that restoring the Druzhba oil pipeline to its previous form makes no sense. The reason is the damage to the main pumping station in Brody and the unwillingness to transport Russian oil.
Today, 200 Ukrainian families received news of their loved ones' return. Among them are defenders of Mariupol, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia regions, as well as soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the State Special Transport Service, border guards, and national guardsmen.
Ukrainian singer Iryna Fedyshyn received the "Golden Heart" award from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for her volunteer work. She has delivered about 400 vehicles to the Ukrainian military.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is ready to meet with Zelenskyy after talks with Ursula von der Leyen. He demands that Ukraine allow inspection and resume transit of Russian oil.
Ukraine is ready to share its experience in countering Iranian "Shaheds" with Middle Eastern countries. Zelenskyy emphasized the possibility of exchanging technologies and weapons with partners.
Ukraine and the US discussed a possible postponement of a meeting involving Russia, scheduled for March 5-9, due to the war in the Middle East. However, a prisoner exchange is expected in the coming days.
President Zelenskyy expressed concern about a possible reduction in air defense and missile supplies to Ukraine from the United States in the event of a prolonged war in the Middle East. He also noted that Iran can no longer transfer weapons to Russia, but the Russian Federation produces missiles and drones under Iranian licenses.
