News from Ukraine, Eastern Europe

Scott Bessent's comments come a week after the U.S. Treasury Department issued a temporary license on April 17 renewing a sanctions waiver that allows countries to purchase Russian oil stranded at sea.

President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Azerbaijan for talks with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Ilham Aliyev, presidential spokesperson Serhii Nykyforov said on April 25.

Russia launched one of its largest aerial strikes on Ukraine overnight and during the day on April 25, killing at least seven people and injuring at least 45, officials reported.

The number includes 1,230 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

The United States and the European Union on April 24 signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation on critical minerals as part of a broader effort to secure and diversify global supply chains.

A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers introduced legislation on April 23 aimed at combating Russia's attack on religious freedom in Ukraine, according to an official announcement.

The German chancellor suggested a process to bring Kyiv and the EU closer together with the ultimate goal of full membership, for instance by allowing participation in the European Council sessions without voting rights.

The move marks the eighth consecutive rate cut from record highs previously imposed to curb inflation driven by wartime spending.

The comment comes amid reports that the Pentagon is considering ways to punish NATO members that did not back the U.S.-Israeli war against Tehran.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said those brought back to Ukraine include individuals against whom Russian authorities have opened criminal cases, as well as wounded soldiers.

Ukrainian forces attacked the factory involved in the full cycle of drone production — design, manufacturing, and testing — on April 19.