Key developments on day 1,115 of Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine are as follows.
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Here is the update for Saturday, March 15:
<h2 id="fighting">Combat Updates</h2>
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<li>Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded that embattled Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region "surrender," promising that "if they lay down their arms and surrender, they will be guaranteed life and dignified treatment."</li>
<li>Putin's calls came soon after U.S. President Donald Trump stated that "thousands" of Ukrainian soldiers were encircled by Russian forces in Kursk. Trump asserted he has urged Putin to spare the lives of these troops.</li>
<li>Ukraine’s General Staff firmly rejected claims that their forces were surrounded by Russian troops, branding such reports as "fabricated by the Russians for political manipulation and to exert pressure on Ukraine and its allies."</li>
<li>A residential area in the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih suffered a Russian missile strike, injuring 11 people, among them two children. The regional governor reported this incident, underscoring that Kryvyi Rih, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s hometown, has faced repeated bombardments since the inception of the invasion.</li>
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<li>Russian-guided bombs hit various targets in Ukraine, including a residential zone in Kherson, leading to one fatality as per the regional governor's Telegram post.</li>
<li>Near the Black Sea port city of Odesa, Russian drones targeted the Chornomorsk port, plunging the surrounding areas into a total power outage, announced the regional governor.</li>
<li>Russian air defenses shot down four Ukrainian drones attempting to strike Moscow. One drone caused damage to an apartment building's roof, situated a few kilometers from the Kremlin. Emergency services reported no casualties from the incident.</li>
<li>A far-right anti-Russian activist was fatally shot on a street in Odesa, with a suspect apprehended. The suspect, described as a "deserter" from the Ukrainian army, is under investigation for potential ties to Russian secret services.</li>
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<h2 id="ceasefire">Ceasefire Talks</h2>
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<li>Putin met with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to explore the details of a proposed 30-day ceasefire in the conflict, as per Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.</li>
<li>Trump, in an advance clip from a Sunday interview, confessed to a degree of sarcasm when previously asserting he'd resolve the conflict within 24 hours. He further discussed ongoing ceasefire negotiations, emphasizing his positive relationship with Putin and suggesting that Ukraine bears some responsibility for the invasion.</li>
<li>Trump praised his interaction with Putin, stating that the Russian leader "has respect for this country." He reiterated a cautious approach to conflict with larger adversaries.</li>
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<li>UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer accused Putin of disregarding U.S.-led ceasefire efforts in Ukraine.</li>
<li>French President Emmanuel Macron also urged Moscow to halt its violence through a public statement.</li>
<li>G7 foreign ministers warned Russia of impending sanctions if a ceasefire wasn't accepted on mutually agreeable terms, with potential measures including oil price caps, further military support for Ukraine, and other unspecified actions.</li>
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<h2 id="politics-and-diplomacy">Politics and Diplomacy</h2>
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<li>A video conference involving around 25 European Union and global leaders, including Zelenskyy, will address European support for Ukraine. Kaja Kallas, the EU foreign affairs chief, aims to propose a significant increase in military aid, up to 40 billion euros ($43.5bn).</li>
<li>Starmer will press leaders of the so-called "coalition of the willing," comprising member states from Europe, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, to commit to supporting Ukraine and intensify pressure on Russia for a ceasefire during the gathering.</li>
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<li>Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko is on an official visit to North Korea, as reported by North Korean state media.</li>
<li>In response to the U.S. ordering Chevron to withdraw from Venezuela, Russia and Venezuela have announced plans to enhance their energy cooperation.</li>
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