A European Union spokesperson insisted on Wednesday that one of the prerequisites for lifting sanctions against Russia is its withdrawal from Ukrainian territory and the end of its “unprovoked and unjustified aggression” against Ukraine. Moscow claimed yesterday that the United States agreed to ease some sanctions imposed after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 in return for a partial ceasefire and the re-establishment of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. The US did not release details of the agreement but the White House said the Trump administration will help restore Russia’s access to “the world market for agricultural and fertilizer exports, lower maritime insurance costs, and enhance access to ports and payment systems for such transactions.”
IDF says it struck ‘remaining military capabilities’ at pair of Syrian airbases
Syrian airbases are struck by the IDF as the IDF continues ground operation in Gaza. Hamas releases a propaganda video of hostages Elkana Bohbot and Yoseph Haim Ohana in a sign of life. And Houthi terrorists continue attacks with ballistic missile aimed at central Israel last night. The Israeli army carried out strikes on targets at the Syrian airbases Palmyra and Tiyas (T4), the press service of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reports. In particular, the military struck the “remnants of military potential” at the Palmyra and Tiyas (T-4) airbases in Syria, a few days after similar strikes were carried out on these same airfield
Fresh US strikes reported in Northern Yemen
The United States has continued airstrikes in northern Yemen, with reports of at least 17 raids in Saada province. According to Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV, the attacks hit the city of Saada and surrounding areas. In addition to these strikes, the news outlet reported two airstrikes in the Al Sufyan district of Amran governorate. This escalation in tensions follows President Donald Trump’s large-scale strikes against the Houthis last week, which killed dozens and sparked increased US military action in the area.
Ukraine: Russia launched over 100 drones overnight
The Air Force of Ukraine’s Armed Forces announced on Wednesday in a post on Telegram that the Russian military launched a total of 117 drones of various kinds overnight. Out of these 117 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), 56 were shot down by the Ukrainian army across the country. Meanwhile, 48 drones failed to reach their targets. “Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad and Cherkasy regions were affected by the Russian attack,” Ukraine detailed. The strike comes as Kiev and Moscow agreed a day earlier to halt attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure, entering a partial ceasefire
.Russia downs 9 drones overnight
Russian forces destroyed nine Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) overnight, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.Of the nine, five were downed over the region of Belgorod, two over the region of Kursk and two were intercepted over the Black Sea.
US: Russia, Ukraine agree to ban strikes on energy sites…. Zelensky says Ukraine to begin partial ceasefire immediately
The White House published an outcome document on Tuesday following expert-level talks with the Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Riyadh to reveal that both parties agreed to refrain from military strikes on energy infrastructure. According to the wording, the agreement was done in line with presidential-level discussions between United States President Donald Trump and his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts, Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky. Both Moscow and Kiev undertook to “develop measures” for implementing the deal to ban strikes against energy facilities in their territories, as previously agreed upon in President Trump’s respective conversations with both leaders. All three countries also committed to continue working toward achieving a durable and lasting peace in the country while welcoming “the good offices of third countries” to support the implementation of the energy and maritime agreements.
Zelensky says Ukraine to begin partial ceasefire immediately
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Tuesday the start of a partial ceasefire effective immediately. The decision follows the White House’s release of the agreements made after the bilateral talks held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from March 23 to 25. According to Zelensky, under the new understanding, neither side will be allowed to use weapons against energy infrastructure. Nevertheless, if Moscow violates the ceasefire, he will ask US President Donald Trump to impose new sanctions and provide weapons. “I have questions about how all of this will be implemented. Of course, once our team returns, I want more details,” Zelensky told a press conference, adding that “there is no trust in the Russians here, but I believe we will be constructive … and will do our part in implementing the agreements from the Ukrainian- American meeting,” he concluded.
nn: this has as much a chance of working as hitting a monkey on a swing with a snow ball in a blast furnace
US copper futures hit all-time high amid US tariff fears
US copper futures surged to a record high Tuesday, fueled by fears of incoming tariffs under President Donald Trump’s administration and supply disruptions in Chile. Prices on New York’s Comex exchange reached $5.2055 per pound, surpassing the previous May 2024 record of $5.199. The move followed news that Glencore Plc had halted shipments from its Altonorte smelter in Chile due to furnace issues. As of 9:45 am ET on March 25, copper futures for May rose 2.17%, trading at $5.2075 per pound.
nn: copper like gold are a upcoming short
Kremlin: No further US-Russia meetings planned
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that there are currently no more meetings planned between officials from Russia and the United States following yesterday’s talks in Saudi Arabia. However, he said the two sides will remain in contact and that further meetings will be agreed upon. He added that Russian President Vladimir Putin has no plans to speak to US President Donald Trump but that a call can be arranged “quite quickly and efficiently” if needed. Peskov declined to provide details on the US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia, stating that they were technical in nature and that they will first be analyzed by Washington and Moscow. He also said there were no discussions about a possible trilateral meeting between Russia, the US and Ukraine.
Israel to exert ‘maximum pressure’ on Hamas
Israel will exert “maximum pressure on Hamas in all possible ways,” an adviser to the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahy’s Office Dmitry Gendelman told Tass on Tuesday.”Israel will take all possible measures to free all our hostages and will exert maximum pressure on Hamas to ensure that all those kidnapped return home as soon as possible,” Gendelman stated. He made his remark in response to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report about alleged Israeli plans for a major ground offensive in Gaza. Moreover, it was also reported that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) prepared a plan for a full occupation of the war-tor enclave.
nn: game on. this is known as hell to pay
Israel plans to conquer and occupy Gaza
Israel’s military drafted plans to “reconquer” Gaza in a renewed effort to defeat Hamas, according to a Financial Times report published Monday. Israel occupied the enclave for almost 40 years until 2005, after taking it in the 1967 war. The new proposal, formulated by the recently appointed Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, has received unofficial backing from far-right ministers but still awaits formal approval from the nation’s security cabinet. The strategy calls for multiple IDF combat units to launch a new invasion of Gaza, eliminate Hamas, control major portions of the territory, and relocate its 2 million residents to the al-Mawasi so-called coastal humanitarian area. The IDF would then assume control of the besieged region, including distribution of aid to ensure Hamas would not benefit from it.
‘Millions’ flock to shelters in Israel amid Yemen launch
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Monday stated that millions of Israelis were forced to seek shelter due to a ballistic missile launch from Yemen. Projectiles presumably launched by the Yemeni Houthis triggered air alarms across central Israel, the army said on X. In an update, the IDF revealed it intercepted a missile from Yemen before it entered the country’s air space. There has been no information about casualties or material damage.
Trump to impose 25% tariff on Venezuelan oil trade
President Donald Trump on Monday threatened a 25% tariff on any nation purchasing oil and gas from Venezuela, ratcheting up his dispute with the Latin American country over immigration with a move that risks roiling the global energy trade. The move aims to cut a major source of revenue for the regime of Nicolás Maduro in Caracas while also putting further pressure on China, which is a major purchaser of Venezuelan crude and already in the cross hairs for 20% tariffs under Trump. The US, meanwhile, is also a core buyer of Venezuelan oil, and Texas based Chevron Corp. is a key producer. The tariff would go into affect April 2, Trump said in a social media post, the same day his administration is expected to unveil a wider array of tariffs targeting multiple countries, adding yet another layer to the overlapping duties that have rattled trade partners and risk gumming up the global economy. US crude futures rose as much as 1.5% after Trump’s post, before pairing gains to 1.1% to trade at $69.02 a barrel as of 12:52 p.m. in New York. Prices have come under pressure in recent weeks due to growing worries about oversupply and a shaky US economic outlook. Meanwhile, Venezuela sovereign bonds slipped across the curve. US President Donald Trump’s tariff plans are a cornerstone of his economic agenda. Now that he’s back in office, businesses are navigating an uncertain future as he unveils his plans. Trump referred to the new charges as “secondary tariffs,” a potentially novel use of the trade restriction similar to so-called secondary sanctions imposed on firms or people doing business with targeted entities. Trump has ramped up scrutiny and sanctions on Venezuela since returning to the White House, reversing some easing under President Joe Biden.
“Any Country that purchases Oil and/or Gas from Venezuela will be forced to pay a Tariff of 25% to the United States on any Trade they do with our Country. All documentation will be signed and registered, and the Tariff will take place on April 2nd, 2025, LIBERATION DAY IN AMERICA,” Trump wrote Monday on Truth Social.
“Venezuela has been very hostile to the United States and the Freedoms which we espouse,” Trump wrote. The move escalates tensions with the South American nation ruled by socialist leader Maduro. Trump has sought to crack down on the Venezuela—based Tren de Aragua gang, including with a series of deportations under a little used 18th century law to a notorious El Salvadoran prison. A federal judge ruled Monday the migrants must be allowed to challenge the deportations in court. Trump announced the decision after Venezuela resumed accepting deportation flights from the US, which Maduro’s government briefly halted. But Trump said “Venezuela has purposefully and deceitfully sent to the United States, undercover, tens of thousands of high level, and other, criminals, many of whom are murderers and people of a very violent nature” including members of Tren de Aragua.
NN: It is amazing to me the markets fail to see Trump will sanctionable oil exports’ from countries that do not bend to his will. This is good for a nice little pop as you ae seeing, Can you imagine what will happen when he gets around to Iran….Try $90.00