MIDWEEK: From Kyiv’s ceasefire signal to Andijan’s political turmoil

Official Kyiv is ready to stop. They approved the plan for a 30-day ceasefire regime proposed by the US in Jeddah. Now it’s the Kremlin’s turn.

The scale of the trade war started by Trump is expanding, and new fronts are emerging in it. Over the past few days, China has targeted Canada. In general, Canada has received successive blows from the US and China over tariffs this week.

Shavkat Mirziyoyev went to France at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. More than 20 agreements and contracts were signed between the two.

Ukraine Agrees

Ukraine and the US have found common ground again in Saudi Arabia. Yesterday, March 11, a meeting between the Ukrainian and US delegations took place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The US and Ukrainian delegations held negotiations in Jeddah. The Ukrainian delegation included Andriy Yermak, Head of the Presidential Administration, Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga, Defense Minister Rustam Umarov, and Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Pavel Palisa. The US delegation included Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump Michael Waltz. Following the negotiations, Andriy Yermak, Head of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine, said that Ukraine is ready to accept the US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire if Russia agrees. This proposal was put forward by the US. According to Yermak, if Russia agrees to its conditions and complies with them, the ceasefire regime can be extended by mutual agreement of the parties.

Following the talks in Jeddah, the US and Ukrainian delegations issued a joint written statement. The statement also stated that Ukraine was ready to accept the US proposal to immediately introduce a temporary ceasefire for 30 days. It also noted that the United States would immediately lift restrictions on intelligence sharing with Kyiv and continue to provide security assistance to Ukraine. In short, this means the resumption of military assistance. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that they would convey Ukraine's offer of a ceasefire to the Russian side. Commenting on the course of the Russian-Ukrainian war, Rubio said that "there is no military solution to this war." He stressed that the path to ending the war and achieving the peaceful goal set by US President Donald Trump lies through negotiations. According to the Secretary of State, this is exactly the scenario that Trump “wants to see.” To achieve this, it was emphasized that, first of all, a ceasefire is necessary. Rubio hoped that the Russian side would also say “yes” to this step.

In turn, on March 11, Zelensky, in his evening video address, said that the US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire was positive and expressed Ukraine’s readiness for peace.

“The US must reassure Russia. Therefore, we are ready, if the Russians agree, the ceasefire will come into force. Ukraine will accept this proposal, we consider it positive. We are ready to take such a step, and the US must reassure Russia,” he added.

Zelensky noted that if a ceasefire is reached, meetings with the US and other allies will be held within 30 days, and efforts will be made to guarantee security and stable peace for Ukraine. The talks between the Ukrainian and US delegations in Saudi Arabia also warmed up the cold between the leaders of the two countries. Trump also said that the doors of the White House are always open for Zelensky. He noted that this week he would talk to Putin and discuss the issue of a ceasefire.

“New front” in the trade war

The war launched by Trump, who is busy with negotiations to end wars, is not a military one, but a war in another field, namely the “trade war”, is intensifying. It should be noted that a new front has opened here.

The fact is that the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced that it had imposed tariffs on $ 2.6 billion in agricultural products imported from Canada. As reported, customs duties will come into effect on March 20 of this year. This did not happen by itself. In particular, in October 2024, Canada also imposed additional tariffs on Chinese products. At that time, a 100 percent tariff was imposed on all-electric vehicles imported from China. Steel and aluminum products were subject to a 25 percent tariff.

According to Chinese officials, Canada's actions in 2024 were considered protectionist and discriminatory, violating World Trade Organization rules. Therefore, China decided to take countermeasures to protect its legitimate interests. The new tariffs imposed by China are as follows. According to them, a 100 percent tariff has been imposed on canola oil and peas imported from Canada. In addition, a 25 percent tariff has been imposed on pork, fish, and seafood.

However China did not limit itself to Canada in imposing tariffs. The new tariffs on US goods, which were warned by China a few days ago, officially came into effect on March 10. This was done in response to the next increase in tariffs on goods imported from China to the US. Several American agricultural products were subject to a 10-15 percent tariff.

US President Donald Trump this week targeted Canada as part of the "trade war". He announced an increase in tariffs on steel and aluminum imported from Canada from 25 percent to 50 percent. It is reported that this decision was made in response to Ontario's introduction of 25% tariffs on electricity. This measure will come into effect on March 12. Trump also threatened to increase customs duties on cars imported from Canada by April 2 if Ottawa does not eliminate "unfair tariffs". In addition, he demanded that Ottawa immediately eliminate the 250-390% tariffs on dairy products.

Mirziyoyev in France

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev left for France on a state visit yesterday, March 11, at the invitation of the President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron. The leader of Uzbekistan was met by the French Minister of National Education, Higher Education and Scientific Research Elisabeth Born, the Commander of the Paris Military District, General Loic Mizon, and other officials. According to the program of the visit, high-level negotiations are planned at the Elysee Palace in Paris, as well as several meetings with French officials and representatives of leading companies.

The France-Uzbekistan Business Forum was held in Paris with the participation of heads of relevant ministries and departments of the two countries, as well as about 100 leading companies, and financial and business organizations. Following the forum, more than 20 agreements and contracts were signed to further develop cooperation and implement projects in agriculture, energy, green economy, urban development, water supply and transport, mining, healthcare, education, and other areas.

In addition, during his visit to France, Mirziyoyev met with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay. The meeting discussed practical aspects of preparing for the 43rd session of the organization's General Conference and holding it in the fall of this year in Samarkand.

For information, it is worth noting that the leaders of France and Uzbekistan also met in Samarkand on November 2, 2023. This was the first visit of a person with the status of the President of France to Uzbekistan in the last 30 years. At that time, measures to promote new major projects in the fields of "green" energy, innovative agriculture, water supply, logistics, infrastructure development, tourism, and other areas were discussed. During the meeting, France expressed its readiness to support Uzbekistan's efforts to join the WTO and sign the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the European Union as soon as possible. At that time, Macron visited not only Uzbekistan but also Kazakhstan. Analysts attributed his visit to Central Asia to two main reasons. One of these reasons was said to be improving France's energy security. In addition, it was assumed that one of the reasons for this visit was the desire of Paris to maintain its weight in the region, along with other major players.

Another problem with the authorities in Andijan

Andijan and the authorities are in the spotlight again. But this time, not at the regional level, but at the district level. The fact is that the government building of the Khojaabad district, and strange things happened on its roof. A video of a woman climbing onto the roof of the government building in the Khojaabad district of the Andijan region and trying to jump off was circulated on social networks. On March 10, at around 11:20 am, a video of a woman walking on the roof of the Agricultural Department of the Khojaabad district administration was circulated on the networks. The incident occurred after a misunderstanding between a citizen and the authorities. Fortunately, the woman did not commit suicide or sustain any injuries as a result of this tension. Because, according to the results of a quick investigation, the woman in the video did not go up to the roof to commit suicide. She simply wanted to intimidate those in charge through her actions, as she was unable to meet with the mayor.

The Khojaabad district administration responded to the incident. According to the administration, the woman came to meet the district administrator for the first time, but the Khojaabad district administrator went out to inspect the improvement works in the areas. After that, the woman was told by the authorities that if she had any appeals, she should leave them and that the district administrator would receive her every Saturday. The woman did not believe these words, and, thinking that "the authorities were deceiving her," she became nervous and climbed onto the roof of the building to scare those around her.

"The district administrator did indeed go out to inspect the works being carried out in the areas at that time. When the administrator arrived, he talked to the woman and examined her appeal," the administration said in a statement.

The report also added that during the meeting, the citizen was placed in an official job and her appeals were resolved on the spot. Citizens were asked not to commit such acts.