Ukraine counting on EU to unblock €90bn package, Zelensky says
A 90 billion-euro aid package from the European Union that is currently blocked by Hungary is critical for Kyiv as it faces a “very difficult” situation while fighting Russia, president Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday.
In comments to the European Council, he added that Ukraine was working productively with the EU on restoring the Druzhba oil pipeline damaged by Russia, and that he has received signals from the US that peace talks with Russia may resume soon.
Arpan Rai20 March 2026 02:53
Estonia summons Russian diplomat after Russian jet violates Estonian airspace
Estonia has summoned the Russian charge d’affaires after a Russian fighter jet violated the Baltic country’s airspace on March 18, Estonian foreign minister Margus Tsahkna said on Thursday.
The violation occurred near Vaindloo Island in the Gulf of Finland, off Estonia’s northern coast, where a Russian SU-30 fighter aircraft entered Estonian airspace and remained for around one minute, Estonia’s foreign ministry said.
“The violation was responded to by a unit of the Italian Air Force, and there was no threat to Estonia’s security,” Tsahkna said.
Joe Middleton20 March 2026 01:00
Peace talks on a ‘situational pause’ says Peskov
The Kremlin said on Thursday that trilateral peace talks on Ukraine with the United States were on a “situational pause”.
Russia’s Izvestia newspaper said the Iran war had temporarily halted negotiations between Moscow, Washington and Kyiv. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia hopes the pause will end and another round of negotiations can be held.
He added that the widening of the war in the Middle East was destabilising energy markets, with global consequences including for Russia.
Joe Middleton20 March 2026 00:15
Kremlin says it will try to assist Russian archaeologist facing extradition to Ukraine
The Kremlin said on Thursday that it would do everything possible to assist a Russian archaeologist who is facing extradition to Ukraine.
Alexander Butyagin is accused by Ukraine of involvement in unauthorised excavation and plundering historical artefacts in Crimea, which was annexed by Russia in 2014.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that it was obvious the Polish court harboured pro-Ukrainian sympathies.
Joe Middleton19 March 2026 23:12
EU leaders fail to convince Hungary’s Orban to lift block on Ukraine loan
European Union leaders failed to convince Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban on Thursday to lift his blockade on a vital 90-billion-euro ($103 billion) EU loan to Ukraine, officials said.
“They tried. They failed,” one European official said of the efforts by other EU leaders to convince Orban at a summit in Brussels.
EU leaders agreed to the loan in December but Orban, who has cordial ties with Russia and has clashed with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, has blocked its implementation, citing a dispute over a war-damaged pipeline.
Orban’s stance has angered other EU leaders as Kyiv could run short of money in weeks if it does not receive new funding and his U-turn has called into question the credibility of the European Council, the EU’s highest decision-making body.
“It was intense, a lot of pressure on Orban that (EU summit) decisions are respected by all,” another European official said after the leaders discussed the Ukraine loan.
A third European official, referring to Orban, said: “Discussion was tough and rough, but Viktor is still not budging.” A fourth said: “Everyone is increasingly angry with Orban.”
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential discussions between leaders.
Bryony Gooch19 March 2026 22:00
Italy warns Russian tanker could explode in Mediterranean at any time
Bryony Gooch19 March 2026 21:00
Watch: Ukraine advances in ‘kill zone’ areas as forces strike Russian drone unit in Donetsk
Bryony Gooch19 March 2026 20:00
In pictures: Zelensky speaking from Kyiv to EU leaders via video link during a roundtable of the EU Summit
Bryony Gooch19 March 2026 19:00
Russian blogger who denounced Putin ‘is in psychiatric facility’
Bryony Gooch19 March 2026 18:00
Ukraine counting on EU to unblock 90 billion euro package, Zelensky says
A 90 billion-euro aid package from the European Union that is currently blocked by Hungary is critical for Kyiv as it faces a “very difficult” situation while fighting Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday.
In comments to the European Council, he added that Ukraine was working productively with the EU on restoring the Druzhba oil pipeline damaged by Russia, and that he has received signals from the US that peace talks with Russia may resume soon.
Bryony Gooch19 March 2026 17:00
