Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has​ accused Russia of violating a cease-fire agreement by attacking energy facilities. Zelenskyy stated in his ‌nightly video address ⁣that he instructed Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to report the violations to the U.S.​ government.

Reportedly, ⁣U.S. ‍mediators brokered an ⁤agreement with Russia and Ukraine ⁢in separate⁣ talks to halt the bombing of energy infrastructure. According to the ⁤Kremlin, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued the order on March‍ 18, following a phone call with his U.S. counterpart. However,a⁣ Kremlin spokesperson claimed that Ukraine was not adhering to the agreement and​ continued to target energy facilities within Russia.

Zelenskyy‍ condemned a targeted Russian drone​ attack on gas infrastructure in the Poltava region,as well ‍as artillery shelling in ‍Kherson that damaged the power supply. He also cited a​ Russian attack ⁤on Kharkiv that damaged heating infrastructure. All ⁤of this​ shows that Russia continues to disrupt diplomacy ​and will continue to do so, and that Moscow’s only tactic is to prolong the war, Zelenskyy​ said.

The Ukrainian president also noted that Kyiv had agreed to a 30-day cease-fire on water,land,and‍ in the air. On March 11, Ukraine accepted the⁣ American proposal for an unconditional cease-fire,‌ and ​since then, Russia has been responsible for slowing ⁣down diplomacy, he said.

Zelenskyy Pushes ‍for Accelerated Arms​ Production

Zelenskyy ‌urged Ukraine’s defense industry to ramp ‍up production of⁢ advanced and powerful drones and missiles.‍ our task ‌is to substantially increase​ supply to the army and maximize the technological advantages of our Ukrainian⁤ drones, he said, emphasizing the need for adequate supplies for soldiers.

Ukraine is also reportedly working⁣ to develop its own⁢ production of anti-aircraft missile systems and other necessary⁣ air defense⁤ systems.​ Discussions on this topic have taken place during recent meetings in Europe, focusing on joint and long-term security for the entire continent.

Zelenskyy also provided updates on military leadership appointments, aimed at strengthening ‍the air force, which is increasingly utilizing Western ⁣fighter jets.

Ukraine has been defending itself against the ⁤Russian offensive for more than three years, ‍with Western ‍assistance.

Zelenskyy Rejects ​Loan Terms for ⁣Old U.S. Aid

Disagreements persist regarding a raw materials agreement between Ukraine‌ and‍ the U.S., ‍which has been ​under discussion for weeks. A new draft from washington has ‍sparked​ potential‍ conflict, as Zelenskyy continues to reject the notion of​ previous U.S. military aid in the​ fight against Russia being ⁣considered a loan. We ‍are grateful for the‍ support⁣ –​ but this is not a loan, and‌ we​ will not allow it, he told reporters in‌ Kyiv.

The president confirmed receiving a new draft of the raw materials agreement from Washington, stating that it differs completely from the previous‌ framework agreement. ​he noted the inclusion⁣ of points ⁣that had already been⁢ rejected in previous negotiations. Zelenskyy emphasized⁣ that ukraine would​ not⁤ sign anything that⁢ would hinder its EU accession process.

reports indicate the existence of a 58-page document allegedly favoring the U.S.and granting Washington control over future investments in Ukrainian infrastructure and resource ‌extraction. The signing of the framework agreement reportedly fell ‍through in late February after a ‍public dispute between Zelenskyy and⁢ the U.S. President.

The U.S. was a major supporter of Ukraine. The ⁢exploitation of raw materials is considered strategically important and economically lucrative. A important portion of these resources are located in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories.

Kyiv Mocks Putin’s UN Proposal

Kremlin chief Putin’s proposal for a temporary UN governance for Ukraine was met with ridicule in‍ Kyiv. Counterproposal: a temporary UN administration in Russia,⁤ starting in‍ Vorkuta, said Foreign Ministry spokesman​ Heorhiy Tychyj in a statement. He posted a ‍photo, presumably of the northern Russian city, showing a ​muddy street⁣ and dilapidated‍ wooden houses, common in many parts of Russia.

It truly seems ⁢that the locals ‍would greatly benefit from any administration​ other than Putin’s, who spends billions of dollars on his criminal war against Ukraine, Tychyj added.

The Russian president had proposed placing Ukraine⁤ under⁤ the ​administration of the United Nations and ⁣holding new elections ⁣there. The goal of his proposal was democratic ⁤elections that would bring a capable government to power, with which peace could then be ​negotiated, Putin said in ‌a ‍conversation with sailors of the nuclear submarine “archangelsk.”

However,​ there are concerns in Ukraine that Moscow ⁢could manipulate elections​ in the partially ⁢Russian-occupied neighboring ⁣country and‍ install a Kremlin-loyal puppet government.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres sees no reason for the elections ⁢in Ukraine under the supervision of the United Nations proposed by Putin. Ukraine has⁤ a legitimate government,and that must of course be respected, Guterres ​said in New York when asked about his position on Putin’s initiative.​ Ukraine emphasizes ⁢that no elections are currently being held in the country due to martial⁣ law.