Kyiv accuses Moscow of 'buying time' to prepare for attack

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of 'buying time' to prepare for a new offensive in Sumy and Kharkiv provinces.

"I can confirm that Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to buy time and prepare for a spring offensive. We see preparations for this upcoming operation," Zelensky said in an interview with Le Figaro on March 26.

Both provinces are located in northeastern Ukraine and border Russia, playing an important role in Kyiv’s defense. Mr. Zelensky said that Mr. Putin had originally planned to carry out the operation eight months ago but was forced to postpone it due to Ukraine’s offensive in the Kursk province (Russia).

Also in the interview, the Ukrainian leader rejected the notion that the country was going through its most difficult period since the outbreak of war, and criticized Russia for not showing goodwill to end the conflict.

What does Russia want from the new Black Sea deal?

Regarding the Black Sea agreement, President Zelensky said on March 27 that Russia's conditions for a ceasefire in the Black Sea were "unrealistic", and continued to warn that it was trying to prolong negotiations to control more Ukrainian territory. Mr. Zelensky also warned that lifting sanctions on Russia at the present time would be "a disaster for diplomacy", according to Reuters.

US President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin (from left)

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on March 27 that the proposed Black Sea initiative is a completely new plan, not an extension of a previous agreement.

"This is a new agreement, the details of which are currently being discussed," Zakharova told Reuters, adding that UN officials had agreed to help Russia export food and fertilizer to foreign markets.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on March 26 that the country is evaluating Russia's requests to decide on the next step.

US announces completion of draft mineral agreement with Ukraine

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US had finalised a mineral deal with Ukraine and could sign it next week. "We have sent a complete document on the economic partnership for Ukraine to review, and we hope to move into full discussions and possibly even signing next week," Bessent said, according to The Kyiv Independent on March 27.

The two sides were originally scheduled to sign the agreement on February 28, but it was delayed after a tense standoff between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office at the White House. US and Ukrainian officials later met again and agreed on a revised version of the mineral agreement.

China denies considering joining peacekeeping force in Ukraine

President Zelensky confirmed on March 25 that the US had proposed a major mineral deal based on a previously planned framework, but he did not give a timeline for signing. "After the framework agreement, a full agreement is being developed. Now the US has offered us a big deal, providing their vision of the agreement," The Kyiv Independent quoted Mr. Zelensky as saying.

According to the original version, the mineral agreement would have established a fund in which Ukraine would contribute 50% of the revenue from the extraction of state-owned resources, including oil, gas and logistics facilities. In this version, Kyiv would not have received US security guarantees.

The White House previously described the mineral deal as a mechanism for the US to “recover” some of the aid it has provided to Ukraine since the conflict broke out.

France calls for China's role in Ukraine

During a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on March 27, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot called on China to help bring Russia to the negotiating table to end the conflict in Ukraine.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi hold a press conference in Beijing on March 27, 2025

"China and France must work together to promote a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. China also has a role to play in persuading Russia to come to the negotiating table with serious proposals and good faith," Barrot stressed.

The talks on March 27 also focused on economic relations, as Beijing and the European Union (EU) face tariffs from the US. At the meeting, Foreign Minister Barrot said: "France opposes any form of trade war and supports dialogue on trade issues, especially between the EU and China."

For his part, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China will "continue to strengthen strategic coordination on international and regional hot issues" with France.

British Prime Minister's Ukraine peace plan slammed as 'political drama'

Europe meets to discuss Ukraine

Leaders from 31 European countries gathered in Paris on March 27 to discuss increasing military support for Kyiv and defining the continent’s role in Russia-Ukraine peace talks. The summit was co-chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (from left) talk in Paris on March 27, 2025

Discussions focused on how Europe could help Ukraine prevent future attacks, and how to monitor a limited ceasefire on maritime targets and energy infrastructure between Moscow and Kyiv.

President Macron spoke with US President Donald Trump ahead of the meeting. European leaders are expected to discuss the possibility of deploying peacekeepers to Ukraine with US support as part of a future peace deal, according to The Kyiv Independent .

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on March 27 accused France and Britain of planning a “military intervention in Ukraine” under the guise of peacekeeping. Ms. Zakharova warned that this action could lead to a direct military conflict between Russia and NATO, further escalating tensions.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/chien-su-ukraine-ngay-1128-kyiv-cao-buoc-moscow-cau-gio-de-chuan-bi-tan-cong-185250327230904278.htm