**Briefing on the Russia-Ukraine Conflict: March 6, 2025**
**Diplomatic Developments:**
1. **China's Stance**: China's special envoy for European affairs, Lu Shae, has expressed opposition to US-Russia negotiations that exclude Ukraine and the EU. He stresses the importance of including all relevant parties in any peace agreement to ensure a comprehensive resolution.
2. **Ukrainian Peace Proposal**: President Volodymyr Zelensky outlined steps for peace at a European Council meeting, urging international support. He demands Russia cease attacks on infrastructure and military activities in the Black Sea, emphasizing the necessity for Russia to acknowledge the need to end the conflict.
3. **French Support**: France has offered its intelligence support to Ukraine following the US suspension of its intelligence sharing. French Defense Minister Lecornu labeled the conflict a "proxy war" between the US and Russia, highlighting France's commitment to aiding Ukraine.
4. **US Intelligence Suspension**: The US has halted intelligence exchanges with Ukraine, significantly impacting Ukrainian military operations. The absence of US intelligence, particularly satellite imagery and signals intelligence, poses challenges for Ukraine's strategic capabilities. The UK's intelligence resources are unable to fully compensate for this gap.
5. **Moldova-Russia Diplomatic Tensions**: Moldova has refused to accept the new Russian ambassador's credentials, citing issues with accreditation and financial support for Ukraine. This move contravenes the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and reflects ongoing regional tensions.
6. **NATO Activities**: There is increased NATO activity in the Baltic region, with heightened US and NATO aircraft flights near Kaliningrad and along Russian borders. This escalation coincides with the US restricting intelligence sharing with the UK concerning Ukraine.
**Military Situation:**
1. **Ukrainian Military Operations**: Ukrainian forces are continuing operations in areas such as Pyatyhatky and Shcherbakov. The situation remains challenging, with reports of enemy resistance and casualties.
2. **Internal Criticism**: Former Ukrainian Armed Forces commander Zaluzhny has publicly criticized President Zelensky's administration, accusing it of tyranny by forcibly deploying individuals to the front lines. This internal dissent highlights tensions within Ukraine regarding the handling of the conflict.
**International Perspectives:**
1. **Turkey's View**: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan commented on the need for Europe to develop its own security framework, independent of NATO, in response to US actions, suggesting a potential shift in regional security dynamics.
2. **China's Peace Initiative**: China's envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Kit Kellogg, suggested the US is pressuring Ukraine into peace negotiations by limiting support. He called for a reset in US-Russia relations to facilitate an end to the conflict.
This briefing encapsulates the current diplomatic, military, and international dimensions of the ongoing conflict, highlighting the complex interplay of global and regional powers in seeking a resolution.
Summary:
- China's special envoy for European affairs, Lu Shae, expressed his opposition to negotiations between the US and Russia without the involvement of Ukraine and the EU. He emphasized the need for a peaceful agreement in Ukraine to include all interested parties, including European countries.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky presented his steps for peace and called on partners to support them during a meeting of the European Council. He emphasized the need for Russia to recognize the need to end the war and called for a cessation of attacks on infrastructure and military operations in the Black Sea.
- French Defense Minister Lecornu stated that France is offering its intelligence to Ukraine after the US suspended its intelligence support. He referred to the conflict in Ukraine as a "proxy conflict" between the US and Russia.
- Russia criticized French President Macron's nuclear comments, calling him "detached from reality" and a "storyteller."
- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that the actions of the US president are a wake-up call for Europe to create its own center of gravity in terms of security if NATO collapses.
- The Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not accepted the credentials of the new Russian ambassador, violating the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. The Moldovan government justifies this by stating that the Russian ambassador does not have accreditation and that there have been issues with financing Ukraine.
- NATO's activities in the Baltic region have increased, with flights by US and NATO aircraft observed around Kaliningrad and along the borders with Pskov and Leningrad regions. The intensity of flights has increased, and the US has restricted the sharing of intelligence with British agencies related to Ukraine.
- Ukrainian forces continue their operations in various directions, including in the Pyatyhatky and Shcherbakov areas. The situation is described as difficult, with resistance from the enemy and casualties reported.
- The US has suspended the exchange of intelligence with Ukraine, which has a critical impact on the Ukrainian Armed Forces' operations. The exchange of intelligence, including satellite imagery and real-time signals intelligence, provided crucial information for targeting long-range strikes and early warning of possible attacks. The UK's intelligence capabilities are insufficient to fill the gap left by the US.
- The former commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Zaluzhny, criticized the regime of President Zelensky, stating that the regime's actions, such as rounding up people for deployment to the front lines, are a form of tyranny.
- China's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Kit Kellogg, stated that the US is trying to push Ukraine into negotiations for a peaceful settlement by limiting its support. He emphasized the need for a reset in US-Russia relations to end the war in Ukraine.
- The former commander of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Zaluzhny, accused the Zelensky regime of engaging in tyranny by rounding up people for deployment to the front lines. He criticized the regime's handling of the conflict and its treatment of soldiers.