Zelensky Slams Trump Diplomats for Repeated Moscow Trips While Avoiding Kyiv
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a sharp rebuke to envoys representing former US President Donald Trump, criticising their repeated visits to Moscow without once travelling to Kyiv. Zelensky described this pattern as "disrespectful" and suggested alternative meeting locations if Ukraine's "complex logistics" posed a challenge.
Steve Witkoff, a former real estate magnate turned diplomat, and Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, have made several trips to Moscow, meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin as recently as January. During a December visit, they engaged in a four-hour discussion with Putin before touring the Russian capital, including a walk across Red Square past Lenin's mausoleum towards the Kremlin towers.
Despite these engagements, Witkoff and Kushner have not visited Ukraine, having only hosted Ukrainian delegations in Miami. "It's disrespectful to come to Moscow and not Kyiv, it's just disrespectful. I understand we have complex logistics... If they don't want to, we can meet in other countries," Zelensky stated in an interview with Ukrainian outlet ICTV.
Zelensky emphasised that while communication continues via phone, the envoys' physical presence in Moscow without corresponding visits to Kyiv undermines diplomatic balance. "I consider their arrival is needed by them, not us... We should not make the arrival of Jared and Witkoff some sort of special sensation," he added.
EU Nears €90bn Loan as Hungary Lifts Veto Over Pipeline
In a parallel development, the European Union appears close to unlocking a critical €90 billion loan for Ukraine after Hungary's outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orban indicated he would cease vetoing the measure. Orban's decision follows assurances from Kyiv regarding the restoration of the Druzhba oil pipeline, which was damaged in a Russian attack in late January.
Hungarian election winner Peter Magyar has urged Ukraine to reopen the pipeline promptly, calling for Russia to resume oil shipments in line with existing contracts. Reports suggest the Druzhba line could reopen imminently, potentially today, facilitating the flow of oil between Hungary and Russia and clearing the path for the EU loan.
Orban, whose government has frequently obstructed EU aid to Ukraine, stated, "Once oil deliveries are restored, we will no longer stand in the way of approving the loan." This shift aligns with Magyar's stance on fostering smoother relations with Brussels while safeguarding Budapest's financial interests.
Russia Claims Territorial Gains Amid Slowed Advances
On the military front, Russia's top general, Valery Gerasimov, claimed that Russian forces have seized approximately 1,700 square kilometres of Ukrainian territory so far this year and are advancing in all directions. These assertions, broadcast on state television, come despite intelligence assessments from March indicating that Russian advances have slowed as Ukrainian forces contest the initiative along the war frontline.
Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief General Oleksandr Syrskyi noted on 30 March that Ukrainian forces are prioritising counterattacks in areas where Russian forces are weakest to regain operational and strategic initiative. Meanwhile, Ukraine's GUR military intelligence reported striking two "large" Russian landing ships in Russian-occupied Crimea's Sevastopol Bay overnight on Sunday.
Diplomatic and Security Developments Across Europe
In other news, Germany and France have proposed granting Ukraine limited "associate" membership of the EU as part of a potential peace deal, offering symbolic benefits without full voting rights or access to certain subsidies like farming funds. Ukrainian officials have expressed caution, describing such offers as "shadow membership" but acknowledging some utility.
Russia conducted a planned flight of Tu-22M3 long-range bombers over neutral waters in the Baltic Sea, asserting compliance with international law. Additionally, Russia's security service detained a 57-year-old German woman allegedly carrying a bomb in her rucksack, framing it as a false-flag operation directed by Ukraine, though these claims remain unverified.
Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev arrived in North Korea for talks on law enforcement cooperation, reinforcing the closer ties between Moscow and Pyongyang since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The two nations signed a "Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty" in 2024, including a mutual defence provision that has seen North Korean soldiers deployed to support Russian forces.
As diplomatic tensions simmer and military actions persist, the situation in Ukraine remains fluid, with ongoing developments shaping the conflict's trajectory and international responses.
