Ukraine and the US held bilateral talks in Miami on 21–22 March; Russia declined to attend. Battlefield analysis revealed Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia counteroffensive weakened Pokrovsk defences, where Russia is advancing toward Dobropillia. Hungary and Slovakia blocked EU summit conclusions, stalling both the €90 billion loan and a sanctions package targeting 43 additional shadow fleet vessels.
23MAR
Day 1489: Miami talks without Russia; Pokrovsk slips
1 min read
13:26UTC
Ukraine and the US held bilateral talks in Miami on 21–22 March; Russia declined to attend. Battlefield analysis revealed Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia counteroffensive weakened Pokrovsk defences, where Russia is advancing toward Dobropillia. Hungary and Slovakia blocked EU summit conclusions, stalling both the €90 billion loan and a sanctions package targeting 43 additional shadow fleet vessels.
AI-assisted, human-edited under the editorial responsibility of Bannermedia Ltd. Reviewed by Ed Woodcock on 23 March 2026. Editorial standards.
Different Perspectives
Government of Latvia
Latvia abstained on 22 September when the EU renewed its individual sanctions for 36 months at the price of delisting Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman, and promised national sanctions of its own. Riga's abstention marks how far a frontline member state will go to keep listed names listed.
India's Ministry of External Affairs
After the House passed the Graham bill on 16 September, India's foreign ministry said it would keep buying energy on market terms and protect its trade. Russia supplied 30.3% of India's crude imports in fiscal 2026, so the tariff decision due around 18 October falls directly on New Delhi.
Kaja Kallas, EU foreign policy chief
Kallas answered the US licence on 10 October by saying Europe would not ease pressure, and EU ministers adopted a 22nd package of nearly 1,600 listings two days later. Brussels is tightening as Washington loosens, though TASS reported the package adds no significant new trade restrictions.
Donald Trump and the US Treasury
The Treasury licensed Russian diesel imports until 7 April 2027 on the day of Trump's call with Putin, and Trump then told reporters Ukraine should find a new leader. Washington is trading sanctions relief for fuel supply while pressing Kyiv to halt the refinery strikes behind the shortage.
Kremlin and Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak
After the 9 October call the Kremlin said Russia was ready to supply oil and petroleum products to American and global markets, and Novak brought forward the end of diesel export curbs. Moscow is selling the shortage back as goodwill, with volumes that Decree No. 686 now hides from outside checks.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine
Zelenskyy called GL 135 an investment in prolonging the war and offered to stop striking Russian refineries if Russia stops destroying Ukraine's energy system. Answering Trump's call for a new leader, he set a total 60-day ceasefire as the condition for elections, which puts the next move on Moscow.