International Coalition Forms to Aid Ukraine; Trump to Speak with Putin

More than 30 countries have pledged military support for the international mission in Ukraine, according to a statement made on Monday, March 17, by a representative of the British Prime Minister, as reported by Sky News and AFP. Leaders from 26 Western nations, along with high-ranking representatives from the European Union and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, convened virtually on March 15 to discuss participation in the "coalition of the willing." The UK and France have already agreed to contribute to the international military effort. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously stated his willingness to negotiate a ceasefire agreement with Russia within 30 days. Russia has stated it will not accept the deployment of NATO troops in Ukraine. According to Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Grushko, Moscow considers discussions about potential deployment of peacekeeping contingents from NATO and the EU in Ukraine, in the event of a ceasefire, as "unreasonable and absurd." Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced he will speak with Vladimir Putin on March 18. He stated, "We want to see if we can help end this war. Maybe we can, maybe we can't, but I think we have a very good chance."