Ukraine Says 15-Point Plan Was Just Russia's Demands; Biden Sends Ukraine Drones

LOCAL NEWS

• Ukraine says the leaked 15-point peace plan released by the FT was just the “requesting position of the Russian side. Nothing more.” Ukraine’s Podolyak says a ceasefire, withdrawal of Russian troops and security guarantees from a number of countries are the only things they could confirm at this stage, but did not say if they had been confirmed by both sides as part of the tentative plan, or just demands from Kyiv.
  • However, the US said it sees no efforts from Putin to de-escalate that would suggest a near-term ceasefire – Sky, RTRS
• Overnight Biden said the US was providing $800m in assistance, including the supply of drones. He also said they would help Ukraine “identify and get longer range anti-aircraft systems” and necessary munitions, but again rejected a no-fly zone.
  • Putin also responded to Biden’s remarks calling him a “war criminal”, saying this was unacceptable and unforgivable – RIA, Sky
• Secretary of the Belarusian Security Council Alexander Volfovich has dismissed reports claiming the large-scale call-up of Belarusians for military service and the Belarusian Armed Forces' involvement in fighting in Ukrainian territory as fakes.
  • "The Belarusian Armed Forces are not participating and do not intend to participate in fighting in the territory of Ukraine," he said. - IFX

Data/Events

• Putin holds a meeting on development of the Crimean Peninsula ahead of the annexation anniversary