Ukraine: US and Russia's top diplomats discuss 'next steps'

• US-Russia top diplomats Rubio and Lavrov, discuss 'next steps' on Ukraine
• Trump limits Kellogg's role as special envoy to Ukraine
• Military meeting set for next week to support Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia 
• Both Ukraine and Russia report overnight aerial strikes

Here are the major developments concerning Russia's war in Ukraine on Sunday, March 16:

03/16/2025March 16, 2025

Trump narrows responsibilities of special envoy Kellogg to Ukraine

Kellogg served as acting national security advisor during the first Trump term [FILE: February 20, 2017]Image: Nicholas Kamm/AFP

After reported complaints from Russia, US President Donald Trump has narrowed the role of Keith Kellogg, who will now serve solely as his special envoy on Ukraine.

Kellogg has previously been described as a special envoy for Ukraine and Russia.

"I am pleased to inform you that General Keith Kellogg has been appointed Special Envoy to Ukraine," Trump wrote on his Truth Social
platform. 

A former national security advisor during Trump's first term, Kellogg was excluded from recent talks in Saudi Arabia on ending the war.

He was also not involved in the talks with Russia that followed, with US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff visiting Moscow instead to discuss a possible ceasefire.

US broadcaster NBC, citing a senior Russian official, reported that the Kremlin had put pressure on Trump because President Vladimir Putin considered Kellogg pro-Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the report, telling reporters on Friday Moscow has no intention of interfering.

03/16/2025March 16, 2025

Rubio and Lavrov discuss 'next steps' on Ukraine

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke on Saturday about ending the war in Ukraine.

The US State Department said the top diplomats "discussed next steps" after the two countries' meetings in Saudi Arabia and "agreed to continue working towards restoring communication between the United States and Russia."

Despite recent tensions between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Kyiv has agreed to a US-brokered 30-day ceasefire if Moscow halts its attacks, but Russian President Vladimir Putin has set conditions beyond the US-Ukraine agreement.

The State Department gave no details on when the next round of US-Russia talks would begin.

Rubio also updated Lavrov on military activity in the Middle East, where US forces carried out strikes against Houthi rebels Yemen.

03/16/2025March 16, 2025

Welcome to our coverage

Welcome to our coverage, let's bring you up to speed:

Showing signs of warming ties between the United States and Russia, their top envoys discuss the "next steps" to end the war in Ukraine.

The call between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov comes hours after Ukraine's allies agreed to exert pressure on Moscow.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted a virtual meeting of the "coalition of the willing," which involved leaders of 26 nations and the EU and NATO to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.

They focused on ways to strengthen Ukraine, protect any ceasefire, and keep up the pressure on Moscow.

Military leaders from about 30 countries met in Paris on March 11 to discuss plans for a peacekeeping force in Ukraine, and they will meet again on Thursday in Britain.

French President Emmanuel Macron called for unified action to ensure Russia accepts the proposed ceasefire.

Kyiv has agreed to a US-brokered 30-day unconditional ceasefire if Moscow stops its attacks in eastern Ukraine. 

However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has not accepted the truce and has proposed conditions that go beyond the US agreement.