Putin visited Kursk region for the first time since the Ukrainian Armed Forces attacked the region.

Source: TASS

Putin:

Russia will treat Ukrainian soldiers captured in Kursk region as terrorists.

Putin at Russian Army’s Kursk region command post today in military uniform.

“Our task is to defeat the enemy entrenched in the Kursk region in the near future, in the shortest possible time.

Russia will treat Ukrainian soldiers captured in Kursk region as terrorists.

Foreign mercenaries are not covered by the Geneva Convention.”

Putin:

All those who find themselves in captivity must be treated humanely.

Iran receives Trump’s letter, handed over by UAE.

Ukraine’s top Commander Syrskyi:

Fierce battles continue in the suburbs of Sudzha and surrounding areas of the “Kursk” operational zone.

My top priority remains preserving the lives of Ukrainian soldiers. If needed, our forces maneuver to more advantageous positions.

Despite increased pressure from Russian and North Korean forces, we will hold the line in Kursk as long as necessary.

The enemy is deploying airborne and special forces to break through defenses, push the Ukrainian Armed Forces out of Kursk, and advance toward Sumy and Kharkiv.

German Chancellor Scholz: (EU Leaders’ Summit in Brussels on March 20-21)

It’s great that we’re including not only EU members but also European partners like the UK, Norway, and Türkiye.

Two key issues concern us most in these weeks: support for Ukraine and strengthening Europe’s defense capacity.

Turkish President Erdogan welcomed Polish Prime Minister Tusk with an official ceremony and assisted him up the stairs by holding his arm, as Tusk wore an adjustable knee brace on his left leg.

57% of Americans think Donald Trump is being too erratic in his moves to shake up the U.S. economy.

Source: Reuters/Ipsos poll

A delegation of around 100 senior Syrian Druze figures is expected to visit the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Friday.

The delegation is set to meet Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, the spiritual leader of Israel’s Druze community, and visit a religious shrine.

Source: Reuters

Russia rejects Trump’s 100-day peace plan as “impossible to realize” and insists no resolution is possible before 2026, aiming to dismantle Ukraine’s government according to Kremlin-linked document.

Demands: Recognition of Russian sovereignty over occupied territories, a buffer zone in northeast Ukraine, and a demilitarized zone in the south.

Opposition: Rejects peacekeepers, calling them “unnecessary” due to Western influence.

Strategy: Seeks to weaken the U.S. by fueling tensions with China and the EU.

Source: WaPo

Syrian Ministry of Defense spokesperson tells Al Jazeera that a committee will be formed to integrate Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into Syrian Army structure.

Syrian Presidency announces a presidential decree to establish a National Security Council.

The council will consist of the Ministers of Defense, Interior, and Foreign Affairs, the Intelligence Director, two advisory members, and a technical expert.

French E-3CF AWACS aircraft, escorted by Rafale fighter jets, conducted reconnaissance over the Black Sea.

Source: ItaMilRadar

Anti-Elon Musk poster spotted in London.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has classified South Korea as a “sensitive country”, restricting cooperation in nuclear technology, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum science, and advanced computing.

This is the first time South Korea has been placed in this category.

Source: Hani

Ukraine has exhausted its ATACMS missile stockpile.

The U.S. supplied fewer than 40 missiles, running out in January.

U.S. officials prioritized other weapons over ATACMS.

Source: AP

The French-British plan aims to deter Russia with a rapid-response force, heavy weaponry, and stockpiles.

The Western official in Kyiv, offering another idea on the table, said they could incorporate direct and immediate strikes on Russian assets in the event of a violation of ceasefire.

Source: AP

US to bolster defence against Chinese cyber attacks

Commission (FCC) has established a national security council to enhance defenses against Chinese cyber threats and maintain leadership in critical technologies like AI.

Chair Brendan Carr emphasized the persistent threats from foreign adversaries, particularly the Chinese Communist Party, and the need for vigilance to protect American networks and companies.

Source: FT

The Joint Preparatory Committee has submitted a draft declaration on the Syrian constitution to President Sharaa and is expected to announce the draft on Thursday.

Source: Al Jazeera

Georgia now faces a new major player in its strategic landscape: China.

The government awarded a Black Sea port project to China Communications Construction Company, canceling a Western-backed consortium’s contract.

Part of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, the deep-sea port will serve as China’s gateway to the Caucasus, connecting Asia to Europe via the Middle Corridor, bypassing Russia.

“Georgia is a key link for the middle corridor and Anaklia port could be the pivotal last nail,” Zhou Qian, China’s ambassador to Georgia, said.

Former President Salome Zourabichvili and U.S. officials condemned the move, calling it a setback for Georgia’s Western integration, with the State Department warning it contradicts Georgia’s aspirations to join Western alliances.

The Georgian government defended its decision, citing economic benefits and China’s $600 million investment in the first phase.

Source: NYT