The Kyiv Independent [unofficial]
Russia’s war against Ukraine
Flowers are left on a makeshift memorial to honor the victims of a Russian missile strike in Svyatoshynskyi district on April 25, 2025 in Kyiv, Ukraine. The strike on Kyiv resulted in the destruction of multi-story residential buildings where at least 12 people were killed and 87 injured. (Dan Bashakov / Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
Trump says Crimea ‘will stay with Russia,’ blames Ukraine’s NATO aspirations for war. “Crimea will stay with Russia. And (President Volodymyr) Zelensky understands that, and everybody understands that it’s been with them for a long time,” U.S. President Donald Trump said.
Ukraine, Russia ‘very close to a deal,’ Trump says. “They are very close to a deal, and the two sides should now meet, at very high levels, to ‘finish it off.’ Most of the major points are agreed to,” U.S. President Donald Trump said.
Possible meeting with Zelensky at Pope Francis’ funeral in Rome, Trump says. The two leaders have not met in person since a tense February meeting in the Oval Office, where Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelensky for what they called a lack of gratitude for American support in Ukraine’s fight against Russia.
Zelensky says Ukraine will only discuss occupied territories after a ceasefire is reached. “We are ready for dialogue in any… format, at any time, but only after a real signal that Russia is ready to end the war,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Ukraine ‘3 weeks late’ in signing minerals deal, peace talks ‘going smoothly,’ Trump says. “Ukraine, headed by (President) Volodymyr Zelensky, has not signed the final papers on the very important rare earths deal with the United States. It is at least three weeks late,” U.S. President Donald Trump said.
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Witkoff meets with Putin in Moscow. Steve Witkoff has visited Russia several times this year and met with Putin on at least three occasions.
Ukraine, Europe’s ceasefire proposal includes US security guarantees, no recognition of Crimea, Reuters reports. The document, reprinted in full by the news outlet, contains numerous points that show the diverging viewpoints of the U.S. on one side, and Ukraine and its European allies on the other as they seek to end Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Putin, US envoy Witkoff discuss direct talks with Ukraine, Kremlin aide says. Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov described the conversation as “constructive and useful,” saying it helped “further bring the positions of Russia and the United States closer not only on Ukraine, but also on several other international issues.”
North Korean missile used in Russia’s Kyiv attack contained US components. “The lack of sufficient pressure on Russia allows them to import such missiles and other weapons – and to use them here, in Europe. The lack of sufficient pressure on North Korea and its accomplices enables, in particular, the production of such ballistic missiles,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Ukraine, allies working on security guarantees potentially similar to NATO Article 5, Zelensky says. Security guarantees could include not “Article 5 itself, but specifically those forces and the protection that Article 5 provides to NATO countries,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
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Front-line situation not severe enough for Ukraine to be forced to accept Trump’s deal, experts say
While Russia wages costly assaults in Donetsk Oblast and across the southern front, its troops appear to be struggling to keep advancing, and Ukraine has gotten better at countering these attacks, including with the use of cheap first-person-view (FPV) drones and mines.
Photo: Kostiantyn Liberov / Libkos / Getty Images
Ukraine war latest: Russian general killed in car bombing near Moscow amid Witkoff-Putin meeting
A senior Russian general has been killed in an explosion in Moscow, a spokesperson for the Investigative Committee of Russia confirmed. According to Russian state media, a car exploded in the yard of a residential building in Balashikha, killing one person.
Photo: Tatyana Makeyeva / AFP via Getty Images
Klitschko’s comments on giving up territory to Russia met with dismay by Ukrainian lawmakers
The issue of territorial concessions became headline news earlier this week after it was reported the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump was considering giving de jure recognition of Russia’s control of occupied Crimea.
Photo: Danylo Antoniuk / Anadolu via Getty Images
Ukraine shocked by torture of captive journalist, as at least 30 remain in Russian hands
On April 24, however, lawmaker Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, who chairs the parliamentary committee on freedom of speech, said that her body had been returned in late February, but the news was withheld due to uncertainty over her identity.
Photo: Tanya Dzafarowa/Suspilne Ukraine/JSC via Getty Images
Human cost of Russia’s war
Russia continues deadly strikes on Ukraine, attack on Pavlohrad kills 3, injures at least 14, including children. A five-story building in Pavlohrad came under attack and several fires were reported in the city.
Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 8, injure at least 22 over past day. Ukrainian forces downed 41 out of the 103 Shahed-type drones and other drones, launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported.
CIA deputy director’s son killed while fighting for Russia in Ukraine, investigation claims. Michael Gloss studied Human Ecology at Middlebury College in Vermont and was described by friends as an eco-activist, women’s rights supporter, and anti-fascist.
High-ranking Russian general killed in car bombing near Moscow, as Witkoff meets with Putin. “According to available data, the explosion occurred as a result of the detonation of a homemade explosive device,” the Investigative Committee of Russia said.
Chornobyl isn’t safe anymore… again
International response
‘End policy of appeasement‘ — European foreign affairs chairs rebuke Trump’s Russia stance. “Negotiating with the war criminal Putin is evidently futile,” a statement signed by officials from eight countries said.
Trump was only joking about ending Russia’s war in Ukraine in 24 hours, he says in interview with Time. Video compilations of Trump’s multiple ’24 hours’ claims show him speaking authoritatively, forcefully, seriously, and with little to no sign of any “jest.”
UNHCR reducing aid to displaced Ukrainian refugees due to major funding cuts. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced to Reuters on April 26 that it has had to scale back support for newly displaced Ukrainians due to significant funding losses.
In other news
Ukraine to receive over $39 billion in budget support from international partners this year, Shmyhal says. Ukraine expects to receive over $39 billion in confirmed budget support from international partners in 2025, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on April 25.
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Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Chris York, Kateryna Denisova, Teah Pelechaty, Tymur Zadorozhnyy, Volodymyr Ivanyshyn, and Sonya Bandouil.
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