**US Ends Participation in European Military Exercises**
The United States has told its allies that it will not take part in military exercises held in Europe beyond those already scheduled for 2025. This was reported by Swedish media outlet Expressen on March 7.
The decision affects several exercises that are still in the planning stage and will be held in Sweden. US President Donald Trump wants to focus American security priorities on China and the Indo-Pacific Region, rather than Europe.
In recent moves, Trump has ended military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine and excluded European allies from peace talks with Russia in Saudi Arabia. This has led to a nervous Europe preparing for a world order where the US cannot be relied on.
**Ukraine Conflict Continues**
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues. Ukraine’s military intelligence (HUR) carried out drone attacks on an oil refinery in Russia’s Leningrad Oblast overnight on March 8. Russian forces launched multiple strikes on Dobropillia, damaging at least four apartment buildings.
Ukraine’s forces are considering a withdrawal from Kursk, with 10,000 Ukrainian troops at risk of being surrounded by Russian forces. A Russian drone strike on a meat processing plant in Kharkiv Oblast killed three civilians and injured seven others.
**US Still Supports Ukraine**
The US still shares some intelligence with Ukraine to help with defense operations, but not for attacks on Russian troops. Russia has lost 883,950 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022.
A 58-year-old Russian national was sentenced to life imprisonment by a Munich court for murdering two Ukrainian soldiers in Germany last year. Thousands of protesters gathered in more than 40 cities across Slovakia targeting the government of Prime Minister Robert Fico.
**Poland Prepares for Defense**
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced plans for large-scale military training for all adult men to strengthen the country’s reserve forces. A military food ration factory in Ukraine was targeted by Russian drone attacks overnight on March 8.
Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, said that the country is committed to a constructive approach and seeks peace as soon as possible. The Kremlin is considering organizing a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, but details are still unclear.