SOFREP Daily: UK Hosts Meeting on Ukraine Peacekeeping Mission, Trump Proposes US Control of Ukraine’s Power Plants

Good morning! It’s Thursday, March 20, 2025. Stay informed with your essential briefing on defense and global affairs.

UK Hosts Meeting on Ukraine Peacekeeping Mission

Military chiefs from about 30 nations will meet in Britain on Thursday to discuss a potential peacekeeping force for Ukraine, despite Russia’s rejection of foreign troops in any ceasefire deal.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are leading efforts to form a “coalition of the willing” to provide security guarantees for Ukraine.

UK to host new Ukraine peacekeeping talks https://t.co/AnvfpCjp8o

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) March 20, 2025

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has set conditions for a ceasefire, demanding an end to Western military aid and Ukraine’s ability to rearm.

The UK and France have signaled willingness to deploy troops, while other nations may contribute logistical and operational support.

The discussions come amid uncertainty following former US President Donald Trump’s direct negotiations with Russia, which have unsettled NATO allies and spurred increased defense commitments.

Trump Proposes US Control of Ukraine’s Power Plants

US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a call Wednesday to discuss ceasefire efforts between Ukraine and Russia.

Trump proposed US control over Ukraine’s power plants to ensure their security, an idea met with mixed reactions.

The call followed Trump’s conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who agreed to halt strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid but refused a full 30-day ceasefire.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian cities endured overnight drone attacks, and Russia accused Kyiv of targeting its energy infrastructure.

Both sides exchanged 175 prisoners in a significant swap.

Zelenskyy rejected Putin’s demand to end Western military aid, calling it a red line.

Ceasefire negotiations remain fragile, with Trump pushing for a diplomatic breakthrough while both warring parties blame each other for stalled talks.

Trump Sends More Firepower to US-Mexico Waters

The US Navy is deploying a second warship to patrol waters near the US-Mexico border, joining the USS Gravely(DDG-107), which was sent over the weekend as part of the Trump administration’s intensified border security efforts.

The destroyers, equipped with Coast Guard law enforcement teams, will focus on drug interdiction and supporting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operations.

The U.S. military is expanding its role in border security by deploying the USS Gravely to the Mexican border to counter illegal immigration, weapons trafficking and transnational crime. More: https://t.co/gdCuqaGctM @VenturaReport pic.twitter.com/R4cl013dwv

— NewsNation (@NewsNation) March 17, 2025

While their mission is currently limited to assisting the Coast Guard, the move follows recent discussions about potential military strikes into Mexico.

Deploying multiple warships for border enforcement is highly unusual, with military historians suggesting it may be the most significant naval presence in the region since the 1914 Battle of Vera Cruz.

Estonia Commits 5% GDP to National Defense

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal announced that Estonia will raise its defense spending to at least 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) next year, citing the ongoing threat from Russia.

This move aligns with concerns shared by neighboring Baltic states, Lithuania and Latvia, who fear potential Russian aggression if Moscow wins its war against Ukraine.

Estonia’s Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur called the increase “historic,” as the country’s current defense budget stands at 3.3% of GDP.

📈 Approved! Starting next year, #Estonia 🇪🇪 will boost its defence spending to a minimum of 5⃣% of GDP—because defence readiness matters. https://t.co/YDm7d6vzJ6

— MoD Estonia (@MoD_Estonia) March 18, 2025

NATO has been reinforcing its eastern flank in response to the war, and US President Donald Trump has urged alliance members to boost military spending to 5% of GDP.

Estonia joins Lithuania, which plans to allocate 5-6% of GDP to defense from 2026, and Poland, which is set to spend 4.7% in 2025.

Macron Orders More Rafales to Boost Defense

French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to increase and accelerate orders for Rafale fighter jets as part of France’s broader strategy to strengthen its defense capabilities.

Speaking at a military base in Luxeuil-les-Bains on Tuesday, Macron emphasized the need for Europe to prepare for potential conflicts amid Russian aggression and possible US security disengagement.

France currently operates 149 Rafale jets, with 56 more already on order, and Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu has called for an additional 30 aircraft.

Macron announced y-day that he’ll “increase & accelerate our orders for Rafale fighter jets”

He said it during a visit to Luxeuil Airbase

He revealed that the airbase, located next to the German border, will host Rafale S5 jets equipped with next-gen hypersonic missiles by 2035 pic.twitter.com/aGZZGgZr71

— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) March 19, 2025

Macron also highlighted plans to invest 1.5 billion euros ($1.6 billion) to upgrade the Luxeuil-les-Bains airbase, which will house the next-generation Rafale equipped with hypersonic nuclear missiles.

Stressing the importance of nuclear deterrence, he hinted at discussions on extending France’s nuclear umbrella to European partners.

Later, he traveled to Berlin for talks with German leaders.

Israel Reclaims Gaza Corridor, Resumes Offensive

Israel resumed military operations in Gaza on Wednesday, reclaiming part of the Netzarim Corridor and deploying more troops to the south.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned of intensified attacks unless Hamas releases hostages and surrenders control.

The renewed offensive follows the breakdown of a ceasefire, which had facilitated humanitarian aid and hostage releases.

Palestinian officials report over 400 deaths, mostly women and children, since Tuesday. Meanwhile, a UN worker was killed in a strike, though Israel denies responsibility.

The war, which began with Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel, has claimed nearly 49,000 Palestinian lives, with widespread displacement.

The failure of ceasefire negotiations has sparked domestic unrest in Israel, where pressure is mounting on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his handling of the crisis.

Militants Raid Mozambican Villages, Kill Civilians

Insurgents launched fresh attacks in northern Mozambique’s gas-rich Cabo Delgado province, killing several villagers and forcing others to flee.

On Monday, militants raided a village in Meluco district, beheading a man who resisted their looting and burning homes, including those of local chiefs.

Another attack on March 14 in the Macomia district left three villagers dead, though a local militia reportedly killed five insurgents in retaliation.

The Islamic State-linked insurgency, which began in 2017, has disrupted gas exploitation in the region and caused nearly 5,800 deaths.

18 MARCH: CABO DELGADO PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE TRUE HEROES OF THE MOZAMBICAN PEOPLE

On 18 March 2025, Cabo Delgado Province honours the true heroes of the Mozambican people, remembering their struggle and legacy in the nation’s history. This tribute celebrates those who stood… pic.twitter.com/1J4n3jdtKY

— Justice Frontil Equitas (@justicefrontil) March 18, 2025

Meanwhile, French prosecutors have opened a manslaughter investigation against TotalEnergies over allegations that it failed to protect subcontractors during the 2021 Palma attack.

Bangladesh Arrests Rohingya Militant Leader

Bangladeshi police arrested Ata Ullah, the leader of the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), on Tuesday alongside nine associates.

Ata Ullah is accused of ordering the 2017 attacks on Myanmar security forces that led to violent reprisals and the mass displacement of 750,000 Rohingya refugees.

ARSA has been linked to killings, abductions, and extortion in Bangladesh’s refugee camps, where rival militant groups vie for control.

The arrest follows a report documenting 65 killings in Rohingya camps last year.

Rohingya militant leader Ata Ullah arrested, he was linked to the murder of Bangladesh military officer@SaroyaHem brings you this report pic.twitter.com/xSQYBVgPbl

— WION (@WIONews) March 19, 2025

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres visited the camps, pledging support amid funding shortfalls that could further reduce already strained food aid.

Bangladesh continues to seek international assistance for its large Rohingya refugee population.

Sources: News Agencies