Overview
- Zelensky says the next U.S.–Ukraine–Russia round is on hold pending a venue decision after Washington proposed hosting and Moscow refused, even as Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev met U.S. envoys in Florida.
- The U.S. Treasury issued a temporary license on March 12 allowing sales of Russian crude already loaded on tankers through April 11 to stabilize energy markets during the Iran conflict.
- Trump says the eased oil curbs will be reinstated once the Middle East crisis ends and claims Zelensky is avoiding a deal with Putin.
- Zelensky warns any relaxation of oil sanctions strengthens Russia’s war machine, citing roughly $10 billion in revenue over two weeks and a projected $100 billion budget deficit, and he presses partners to sustain pressure on Moscow.
- Western officials and analysts report possible Russian assistance to Iran’s war effort, reinforcing concerns that Moscow is gaining both strategically and financially as Ukraine seeks renewed leverage in talks.