**Australia Considers Joining Coalition to Support Ukraine**
The Australian government is considering joining a European-led coalition to support a lasting ceasefire in Ukraine. This decision comes after talks between Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
According to a statement from the UK’s Prime Minister office, Sunak welcomed Albanese’s commitment to consider contributing to the coalition of willing for Ukraine. Australia has expressed its readiness to assist with proposals going forward on Ukraine, hinting that it would be open to contributing to a joint force.
The UK and France have been spearheading the idea of deploying European peacekeepers in Ukraine to monitor a potential ceasefire. However, Sunak emphasized that for any coalition to succeed, Europe must have strong US backing. Several countries, including Canada, Ireland, and Turkey, have expressed openness to joining the coalition.
**Russia’s Actions in Ukraine**
Russian forces launched multiple strikes on Dobropillia late on March 7, damaging at least four apartment buildings. A large fire erupted at a critical infrastructure facility in Zaporizhzhia Oblast following a Russian drone attack. Kyiv has relied on high-resolution satellite images for defense and strategic planning.
Butusov wrote on Facebook that Russian troops had used a gas pipeline to approach Ukrainian positions in Sudzha in Kursk Oblast, but were being “liquidated.” The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported that Russia has lost 883,950 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion.
**International Support for Ukraine**
France will provide Ukraine with 195 million euros ($211 million) in military aid using the interest accrued from frozen Russian assets. Sweden will provide over $2 million (22.5 million Swedish kronor) to support Ukrainian women. The US continues to share some intelligence with Ukraine to assist with defense operations, but not for attacks on Russian troops.
**Other Developments**
The Kremlin has consistently maintained that it will not accept Western troops on the ground in Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced his delegation to represent Ukraine in upcoming talks with the US in Saudi Arabia. The US has notified its allies that it does not plan to participate in military exercises held in Europe beyond those already scheduled in 2025.
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