Talks, a no-fly zone appeal and a missing mayor: Ukraine, March 2022
A look back at the diplomatic and political developments reported around 14 March 2022, the 19th day of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
What was the state of Ukraine's diplomacy on 14 March 2022, the 19th day of the Russian invasion? The reports from the preceding days show a country pressing for a no-fly zone while its delegation kept talking to Russian negotiators.
On 13 March 2022, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy again called for a no-fly zone over Ukraine. He said it was only a matter of time before Russian rockets fell on NATO territory.
Negotiations
The same day, Zelenskyy said the purpose of the talks between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations was to secure direct talks between himself and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian negotiator and presidential adviser Mykhailo Podoliyak and Russian delegate Leonid Slutsky both said there were signs of progress. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said Russia was willing to engage in negotiations aimed at a ceasefire.
A day earlier, on 12 March 2022, Zelenskyy had proposed that ceasefire negotiations between Russia and Ukraine be held in Jerusalem. He said Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett could have a positive impact on them.
Local government and infrastructure
Also on 13 March 2022, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that Yevhen Matveyev, the mayor of Dniprorudne, had been abducted by Russian forces.
Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko announced the same day that power had been restored to the former power plant in Chernobyl.
Elsewhere in the region
On 14 March 2022, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan asked the OSCE Minsk Group to help start peace talks with Azerbaijan, in an effort to normalise relations after the conflict.
