US Special Representative Witkoff said he believes that the Russian Federation is not helping Iran; the European Commission may deprive the Venice Biennale of money due to Russia's participation in the festival; President Zelensky is considering the participation of former Minister of Reconstruction Kubrakov in the restoration of Kyiv's energy sector; the UN commission recognized the illegal transfer of Ukrainian children by Russia as a war crime; Western countries want to put reserve oil reserves into circulation to stabilize the market — Suspilne collected the main news on the morning of March 11.
UN Commission Recognizes Illegal Transfer of Ukrainian Children as a War Crime by the Russian Federation
The UN's independent international commission of inquiry into violations in Ukraine has acknowledged in its new report that the deportations and transportation of Ukrainian children by Russia are a crime against humanity and a war crime. The UN adds that the Russian authorities systematically failed to inform parents or legal guardians of the children's whereabouts, sought to place them in Russian institutions or “adopt” them with Russian families. Therefore, the UN Commission has singled out another separate crime by Russia – unjustified delay in the repatriation of deported civilians.
Context : The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine welcomed the publication of the UN report. On March 17, 2023, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Kremlin leader Putin and the Ombudsman for Children Lvova-Belova. They are suspected of the illegal deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children. On February 17, 2026, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that 2,000 Ukrainian children had been returned to Ukraine.
Western countries want to put oil reserves into circulation to stabilize the market — WSJ
The International Energy Agency has proposed tapping oil reserves to stabilize global crude prices, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing officials. The proposed amount of oil the IEA could tap from reserves is more than 182 million barrels. That’s more than the IEA released from its reserves in 2022, when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Context : Oil prices topped $100 a barrel on March 9, the first time since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. The US-Israeli operation against Iran sent US crude futures up 18% and global benchmark Brent crude up 16%. The US Treasury is considering lifting sanctions on Russian oil to ease the oil shortage.
Witkoff believes that Russia is not helping Iran
US Special Representative Steve Witkoff said he believes the Russians are not sharing intelligence with Iran during the US-Israeli operation against Tehran. He is referring to the Russian leadership, which assured President Trump during a conversation with Kremlin leader Putin that Moscow and Tehran are not exchanging intelligence as part of the war in the Middle East. “So, you know, we can take their word for it. Let's hope they're not sharing,” Witkoff said.
Context : On March 6, CNN, citing its own sources in US intelligence, wrote that Russia was providing Iran with intelligence on the location and movement of US troops, ships and aircraft, including from satellites. On March 8, Trump said that he had “no indication” that Russia was providing Iran with assistance during the US-Israeli operation.
The European Commission may deprive the Venice Biennale of money due to the participation of Russia
The European Commission has said it could suspend or completely end an existing EU grant to the Venice Biennale Foundation if Russia is allowed to open a national pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition. The EC said the decision to allow Russians in was incompatible with the EU's collective response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine. It stressed that culture “should never be used as a platform for propaganda.”
Context : On March 4, the organizers of the Venice Biennale announced the list of participants who will open a national pavilion at this year's event. Among them is Russia, which has not participated since 2022. The country's pavilion will be titled The tree is rooted in the sky.
Zelensky considers Kubrakov's participation in restoring Kyiv's energy sector
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that former Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction Oleksandr Kubrakov can help Kyiv prepare the energy sector for winter. Zelenskyy noted that Kubrakov has extensive experience in this area, but a decision on his future status has not yet been made, and meetings are ongoing.
Context : in Kyiv, power outages, heat and heating began with the massive Russian shelling on the night of January 9, and the attacks continued in January-February. Some people are still without heat due to the significant destruction of the Darnytsia CHP. Under Kubrakov's leadership, “Great Construction” projects were implemented, the “grain corridor” was ensured, and the energy infrastructure damaged by the shelling was restored. Since January of this year, he has been an advisor to Zelensky.