ORBAN: TRUMP WILL STOP FUNDING UKRAINE IF ELECTED.

→ 20 Days in Mariupol wins first Ukrainian Oscar!

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY!

→ Lavrov in Turkey: No to Peace Talks, sets sights on Moldova

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov publicly rejected Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent offer to host a negotiation platform for Russia and Ukraine. Lavrov attended the Antalya Diplomatic Forum in Turkey on March 1 and responded to a question about Erdogan’s offer by stating that there are no current dialogue initiatives that consider Russian interests.

→ Turkey hopes Ukraine ceasefire talks can start soon

Turkey hopes talks for a ceasefire in Ukraine will start soon, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Sunday (3 March), at the end of a diplomatic forum in the southern city of Antalya.

Fidan met his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, on Friday on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum. He told reporters he had discussed a number of issues with Lavrov, including Ukraine.

“On the issue of Ukraine, our view is that both sides have reached the limits of what they can get by war. We think that it is time to start a dialogue for a ceasefire,” Fidan said.

“That doesn’t mean recognising the occupation (by Russia), but issues of sovereignty and ceasefire should be discussed separately.”

In other news, it looks like the USA will vote on Ukraine aid by the end of this month.

UPDATE ON THE RUSSIAN ATTACK ON ODESA:

→ Zelensky: Kharkiv not safe enough for residents to return

Kharkiv is not yet safe enough for residents to return to the city, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a press conference with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on March 1.

“As for the return of Kharkiv residents: you see, I don’t think Kharkiv is so protected at the moment that I can advise people to return,” Zelensky stated. “This is the choice of Kharkiv residents.”

In other news, the death toll of last night’s strike on Odesa has risen to 7. UPDATE: The death toll is now at nine.

BLOOMBERG: UKRAINE SEES RISK OF RUSSIAN BREAKTHROUGH BY SUMMER.

RUSSIAN ARMY SHELLS CENTER OF KUPIANSK WITH AERIAL BOMBS, DEATHS REPORTED.

UPDATE: A forced evacuation may be announced for the Kupiansk area.

→ Charity of the week: The Way of Reconstruction Minesweeper

Meet Petro Hrebenyuk, a Ukrainian Engineer turned Minesweeper Designer, navigating the challenges of displacement with a practical and positive mindset.

_Having left his hometown in 2022, Petro is now leading a team to create a minesweeper prototype that addresses the pressing issue of landmines in Ukraine. With the help of your donations, they’ve acquired a tractor and developed essential systems for remote operation. As they work towards certification, your support becomes crucial in realising the potential of this life-saving initiative. _

Join us in backing Petro and The Way of Reconstruction and contribute to a project that aims to make a tangible difference in demining efforts in Ukraine.

Read the rest of the story in the link above.