Thursday Briefing: A call between Trump and Zelensky

Plus, Israel seized territory in Gaza

View in browser|nytimes.com March 20, 2025 By Natasha Frost Good morning. We're covering steps toward a truce in Ukraine and a Canadian turn toward Europe. Plus: Why pilots under stress don't always seek help. President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine said a partial cease-fire would have to be monitored by the U.S. Roman Pilipey/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Ukraine agreed to halt strikes on energy sites President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine agreed yesterday to Russia's offer of a mutual pause in attacks on energy targets for 30 days as a step toward a broader cease-fire. He accepted the pause in a phone call with President Trump, who described the conversation as "very good." Zelensky called the talk "positive, very substantive and frank," making clear that he had thanked Trump for America's support. The two leaders spoke a day after Trump's conversation with Vladimir Putin, Russia's leader. It was the first time Trump and Zelensky had talked since their disastrous Oval Office meeting last month. Trump also floated the idea that the U.S. could take control of Ukrainian power plants — an idea that Ukrainian energy experts said was probably unworkable. The White House said teams would meet in Saudi Arabia "in the coming days" to discuss broadening the pause to cover activity in the Black Sea, "on the way to a full cease-fire." What's next: Zelensky said that the agreement would require U.S. monitoring, and that Kyiv would prepare a list of sites that needed protection. "Just the assertion and the word of Putin that he will not strike energy sites is too little," he said. "War has made us practical people." Analysis: Most of what Putin agreed to on the Tuesday call with Trump was spun as a concession, but the Russian leader didn't really give ground. More on the Trump administration Trump is expected to sign an executive order today that instructs the education secretary to begin dismantling the Education Department. The attorney general labeled recent attacks on Tesla dealerships as acts of "domestic terrorism" directed against Elon Musk. Trump has hinted that he'd soon meet Xi Jinping, China's leader. But Beijing is still wondering what he wants. Trump's oldest son visited Belgrade, the site of a Trump International Hotel project, and expressed his supported for Serbia's embattled leader. President John F. Kennedy's grandson criticized Trump, Republican lawmakers and the news media after a new trove of government files about Kennedy's assassination was released. The files offer few revelations so far. The star pianist András Schiff has boycotted performing in the U.S. because of Trump's "unbelievable bullying." Track Trump's actions since he took office. An armored personnel carrier being made for export to Ukraine in Mississauga, Ontario, in 2023. Carlos Osorio/Reuters Canada moves closer to Europe As Canada is threatened by President Trump, talks aimed at letting it join a project to expand the E.U.'s military industry are underway. An agreement would allow Canada to help build European fighter jets and other equipment at its own industrial facilities. The goal is to strengthen Europe's defense industry and offer Canada a credible alternative to the U.S. market, officials said. Canada's new prime minister, Mark Carney, this week visited Paris and London in his first overseas trip since taking office, calling Canada "the most European of non-European countries." Background: Canada has been a regular U.S. contractor, and its factories produce munitions, tanks, aircraft, technological defense systems and naval ships. A review in 2022 found that the top destination of its military equipment, by far, was the U.S. What's next: The partnership, and the E.U. initiative, will take years to bear fruit. European defense has been falling behind because of underinvestment and U.S. dominance, a situation that became more apparent as the drive to arm Ukraine depleted E.U. members' arsenals. Rubble from an airstrike in Gaza City yesterday. Saher Alghorra for The New York Times Israel seized territory in Gaza Israeli forces pushed deeper into the Gaza Strip yesterday, seizing parts of a major corridor that divides it, in the most significant ground operation since the collapse of a fragile truce with Hamas. Soldiers began "targeted ground activities" along the road, known as the Netzarim Corridor, to create a "partial buffer zone" in the territory between the north and south, the military said. The operation followed wide-scale aerial bombardment in Gaza that began on Tuesday. Hamas has not responded militarily. In Jerusalem, thousands of Israeli protesters called for a renewed cease-fire. Photos from Gaza: For two months, a cease-fire spared Palestinians the grim task of identifying bodies. Now they are back at it. Yemen: President Trump said the Houthi militants would be "completely annihilated" by U.S. military strikes and warned Iran to "immediately" stop giving them military equipment and general support. MORE TOP NEWS Guerchom Ndebo for The New York Times Africa: The leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda called for a cease-fire in the deadly conflict between Congo's army and a Rwandan-backed rebel group. Turkey: Authorities arrested the mayor of Istanbul, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's biggest rival, just before he was set to be named the opposition's candidate in the next presidential election. U.S.: The Federal Reserve extended its pause on rate cuts as President Trump's aggressive approach to tariffs and other policies fueled uncertainty about the economic outlook. Tech: The E.U. accused Apple and Google of unfairly boxing out smaller competitors, adding to tensions between Europe and the U.S. Pope: Pope Francis' health has improved, according to the Vatican — but conspiracy theories still run wild. Myanmar: The leader of an armed group representing Rohingya Muslims was arrested in a raid in Bangladesh. Mexico: Lawmakers voted to ban traditional bullfighting in Mexico City. A cape-only, nonviolent option will be allowed. U.K.: Two men were found guilty of stealing and selling an 18-karat gold toilet. Climate: The past 10 years have been the hottest in nearly 200 years of record-keeping, a U.N. agency reported. Brazil: A Brazilian congressman whose father is Jair Bolsonaro, the former president, said he would seek political asylum in the U.S. SPORTS NEWS Soccer: Why Thomas Tuchel, the England manager, said he would not sing the English national anthem — yet. Tennis: A lawsuit led by Novak Djokovic is threatening to rock tennis to its core. We broke down the details. Olympics: The race for the presidency of the International Olympic Committee, sport's most powerful post, is growing stranger — and much nastier. Neurodiversity: Lucy Bronze, a England soccer player, credits her longevity in the game to ADHD and autism. MORNING READ Dibyangshu Sarkar/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images In Paraswara, a village in a rural corner of India, a dozen men were sworn in this month to form a local government. Half hadn't been elected — their wives had. The sidelining of women in rural Indian politics is nothing new, but some are starting to push back against "boss husbands." Lives lived: Anthony Dolan, who as Ronald Reagan's chief speechwriter deployed the phrase "evil empire" in 1983 to describe the Soviet Union, died at 76. CONVERSATION STARTERS Treats and shackles: The food on the hit show "Severance" is a chilling tool of manipulation, suppression and distraction. Tech for babies: Many lists of baby gear mandate certain items. Here's what one parent felt helped the most. A mystery escape: Thousands of Jewish children fled to Britain between 1938 and 1939. Newly found papers tell their story. A change of priorities: Natasha Rothwell, a star of "The White Lotus," told Modern Love's podcast about how she's been courting herself. ARTS AND IDEAS Noel Spirandelli for The New York Times Why airline pilots don't always seek help In times of struggle, U.S. pilots face a high-wire calculation: stay silent, or receive the help they need and risk being formally diagnosed with a mental-health condition. Those who do may never fly again. Troy Merritt, above, was struggling with thoughts of suicide when he eventually sought the care he needed. But taking antidepressants required a full 18 months away from his work as a pilot — and spending more than $10,000 on medical evaluations. "Because a pilot's work is safety-sensitive, they are held to a higher standard," said Susan Northrup, the U.S. official flight surgeon since 2021. But the authorities may have inadvertently created a process so burdensome that it deters pilots from being honest. We hope you've enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times. RECOMMENDATIONS Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times Cook: Make pasta primavera to mark the start of spring. Watch: "Ludwig," starring David Mitchell of "Peep Show" as identical twins, is a charming British detective show. Heal: Consistent workouts can be a powerful way to fight chronic inflammation. Game: In Assassin's Creed Shadows, the story takes a back seat to gorgeous historical renderings of 16th-century Japan. Travel: Planning a trip with someone who's got very different preferences? This quiz can help. Play the Spelling Bee. And here are today's Mini Crossword and Wordle. You can find all our puzzles here. That's it for today's briefing. See you tomorrow. — Natasha Reach Natasha and the team at briefing@nytimes.com. Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Morning Briefing: Europe Edition from The New York Times. To stop receiving Morning Briefing: Europe Edition, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. 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