Trending Now - Zelensky Urges U.S. Support as Ukraine Aids Allies Against Iran

WHO:

Rustem Umerov, head of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council

President Donald Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Tulsi Gabbard, U.S. director of national intelligence

Jack Watling, analyst at the Royal United Services Institute

President Donald Trump

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President

Kirill Budanov, chief of staff to Zelenskyy

Rustem Umerov, lead negotiator for Ukraine

David Arakhamia, Ukrainian lawmaker

Serhiy Kyslytsia, career diplomat from Ukraine

Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson

Jack Watling, analyst at the Royal United Services Institute

Sam Greene, professor at King’s College London

President Donald Trump

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Russian President Vladimir Putin

Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson

Tulsi Gabbard, U.S. director of national intelligence

Kirill Budanov, chief of staff to Zelenskyy

Rustem Umerov, lead negotiator for Ukraine

David Arakhamia, Ukrainian lawmaker

Serhiy Kyslytsia, career diplomat from Ukraine

Institute for the Study of War (ISW)

WHAT:

Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian negotiators are “already on their way” to the U.S. for talks on March 21st, 2026.

Ukraine has sent over 200 military experts to five countries in the Gulf region to assist against Iranian drone attacks.

Trump stated, “No, we don’t need their help on drone defense,” regarding Zelenskyy’s offer to assist U.S. forces in the Gulf.

Zelenskyy stated that a Ukrainian negotiating team is “already on their way” to the U.S. for talks on March 21st, 2026.

Trump said, “No, we don’t need their help on drone defense,” in response to Zelenskyy’s proposal to assist U.S. forces in the Gulf.

The U.S. has granted Moscow a temporary waiver from oil sanctions, allowing sales of Russian crude already at sea.

Ukraine has sent over 200 military experts to the Gulf to assist against Iranian drone attacks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that a Ukrainian negotiating team is “already on their way” to the U.S. for talks on March 21st, 2026.

Trump stated that “the hatred between Putin and his counterpart is so great” during a speech at the Shield of the Americas Summit in Doral, Florida.

Trump said in an interview with NBC News that “it’s much harder to reach a deal with Zelenskyy.”

U.S.-brokered Ukraine peace talks are on hold due to the war in the Middle East.

Russia is preparing new military offensives against Ukraine.

Ukraine has sent over 200 military experts to the Gulf to assist against Iranian drone attacks.

Trump stated that Zelenskyy must "get on the ball" and "get a deal done."

Russia has about 700,000 troops fighting in Ukraine, reportedly the same number as Ukraine.

The European Union is considering a 90 billion-euro ($106 billion) loan for Ukraine.

Trump has granted Moscow a temporary waiver from oil sanctions.

WHERE:

Ukraine

Gulf region

Strait of Hormuz

U.S.

Eastern Donetsk region, Ukraine

WHEN:

The U.S.-brokered Ukraine peace talks have been on hold since the end of February 2026 due to the war in the Middle East.

Zelenskyy made his comments about the negotiations on March 20th, 2026.

The war in the Middle East began at the end of February 2026.

Zelenskyy made his comments about the negotiations on March 20th, 2026.

Trump made his comments about the hatred between Russia and Ukraine on March 5th, 2026.

The pause in negotiations was confirmed on March 20th, 2026.

Zelenskyy stated that a Ukrainian negotiating team is expected to meet U.S. officials on March 21st, 2026.

The war in the Middle East began at the end of February 2026.

Trump made comments about Zelenskyy on March 5th, 2026.

WHY:

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is causing global fuel prices to surge, impacting negotiations and military support for Ukraine.

Trump believes that the "hatred" between Russia and Ukraine is obstructing peace negotiations.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is causing global fuel prices to surge, impacting negotiations and military support for Ukraine.

The war in the Middle East is impacting U.S. focus on Ukraine peace talks.

Trump believes that the "hatred" between Russia and Ukraine is obstructing peace negotiations.

Russia is profiting from high oil prices due to the conflict in the Middle East.

HOW:

Ukrainian military specialists are operating in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan to help protect civilian and critical infrastructure against Iranian drone attacks.

Ukraine is providing technology and battlefield-tested tactics to counter Iranian drone attacks, with over 200 military experts already deployed in the Gulf region.

Ukraine is providing technology and tactics to counter Iranian drone attacks.

Russia is building up reserves and increasing artillery and drone strikes against Ukraine.

Ukraine is launching counterattacks in the Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia regions to disrupt Russian plans.

(UPDATED March 21, 2026 01:21 UTC)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukrainian negotiators are already on their way to the U.S. for talks today, while President Trump dismissed Zelenskyy’s offer to assist U.S. forces in the Gulf, stating, “No, we don’t need their help on drone defense.” In the meantime, Ukraine has deployed over 200 military experts to five Gulf countries to bolster defenses against Iranian drone attacks, as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to drive up global fuel prices and complicate military support for Ukraine. The U.S.-brokered peace talks have been on hold since the end of February due to these escalating tensions.

(UPDATED March 20, 2026 23:06 UTC)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced today that a Ukrainian negotiating team is heading to the U.S. for talks scheduled on March 21, while President Trump responded to Zelenskyy's proposal for U.S. assistance in the Gulf by stating that no help is needed for drone defense. Amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which began at the end of February, the U.S. has granted Moscow a temporary waiver from oil sanctions, allowing sales of Russian crude already at sea, as Ukraine sends over 200 military experts to the Gulf to counter Iranian drone attacks. Zelenskyy's comments come as global fuel prices surge, complicating military support and negotiations for Ukraine, with Trump noting that the deep-seated animosity between Russia and Ukraine is hindering peace efforts.

(UPDATED March 20, 2026 21:06 UTC)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced today that a Ukrainian negotiating team is heading to the U.S. for talks scheduled on March 21. In a recent speech at the Shield of the Americas Summit, Trump remarked on the intense animosity between Putin and his counterpart, while also expressing that reaching a deal with Zelenskyy is quite challenging. This comes amid rising global fuel prices driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which is affecting military support and negotiations for Ukraine, as they deploy over 200 military experts in the Gulf to counter Iranian drone attacks.

(UPDATED March 20, 2026 17:16 UTC)

U.S.-brokered peace talks between Ukraine and Russia are currently on hold due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, which began at the end of February. President Trump recently emphasized the need for Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to "get on the ball" and finalize a deal, while Russia prepares for new military offensives and Ukraine sends over 200 military experts to the Gulf to assist against Iranian drone attacks. As negotiations pause, Zelenskyy is expected to meet with U.S. officials tomorrow, and the European Union is considering a substantial loan to support Ukraine amid these escalating tensions.