Ukraine-US talks announcement, attack on Russian Engels airfield - Thursday brief
Collage by RBC-Ukraine
Ukrainian and American officials will meet in Saudi Arabia next week. Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones attacked Russia's Engels airfield.
Read more about what happened on Thursday, March 20.
Zelenskyy announces new meeting between Ukrainian and US teams in Saudi Arabia
Ukraine is planning a new meeting with the US team. It is to take place next Monday in Saudi Arabia, stated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a briefing.
"Our technical teams will be present. As I understand it, the structure is such that first, there will be a meeting between Ukraine and the US, and then, as our American partners have indicated, within the framework of existing diplomacy, the US will meet with Russia," Zelenskyy explained.
Explosions and fires at Engels airbase: Ukrainian Special services behind attack
Drones attacked the Engels airbase in Russia overnight on March 20. The strike was part of a special operation conducted by Ukrainian special services, according to RBC-Ukraine's sources in the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to sources, Russian air defense systems were ineffective, with missiles striking civilian buildings and infrastructure in the cities of Engels and Saratov instead of neutralizing the attack.
EU allocates another €1 bln to Ukraine under G7 loan
The European Commission has allocated another €1 billion in financial assistance to Ukraine. The funds are being provided as part of a G7 loan, which is set to be repaid using proceeds from frozen Russian assets.
The macro-financial assistance amounts to €18.1 billion, representing the EU’s contribution to the ERA initiative led by the G7. This initiative aims to provide Ukraine with approximately €45 billion in financial support.
Zaporizhzhia NPP belongs to Ukraine, but US investment possible - Zelenskyy
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) belongs to the state, and Ukraine has no intention of transferring its ownership to anyone. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted at a press conference that the United States may invest in its restoration and modernization.
"If they want to invest, to modernize it — that's a different matter. That’s an open question, and we can discuss it. But we have not discussed the issue of ownership with President Trump," he emphasized.
CIA denies Trump and Putin's claims on Ukrainian troops encirclement in Kursk region - Reuters
Ukrainian soldiers have retreated in the Kursk region in recent days, but are not surrounded by Russian troops. CIA data refute simultaneous statements by US President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.
US intelligence agencies, including the CIA, shared this assessment with the White House last week, sources told Reuters. However, Trump continued to claim that Ukrainian troops were surrounded in the Kursk region of western Russia.
