'Dangerous and cruel' — Trump's reported Crimea proposal sparks horror among Ukraine's lawmakers
Reports that the U.S. could formally give de jure recognition to Russia's control over Crimea have landed like a bombshell in Kyiv.
Ukraine
'Groundless accusations, political manipulations' — China reacts to Ukraine summoning its envoy
A day earlier, Chinese Ambassador to Ukraine Ma Shengkun was invited to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry to meet with Deputy Foreign Minister Yevhen Perebyinis.
Ukraine insists on 'immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire,' Zelensky says
Ukraine insists on an "immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 23 amid strained peace efforts and intensifying Russian attacks.
Downgraded peace talks between US, Ukraine, and European allies begin in London
The meeting was to be held at a ministerial level, but was downgraded after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio canceled his participation.
'Ukraine ready to negotiate, but not surrender,' Deputy PM says amid strained peace efforts
Ukraine will not accept a peace agreement that would give Russia a chance to regroup for further attacks and sees a full ceasefire as "the necessary first step," Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said on April 23.
London talks suspended over 'lack of consensus on some issues,' Kremlin claims
Russia continues to engage with the U.S. on a possible settlement of the war in Ukraine, but not with Kyiv and Europe, the Kremlin said. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is still expected to visit Russia despite the breakdown of the London summit.
Drone attack reported in Russian region hosting 'kamikaze' drone factory
Russian air defenses intercepted drones in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Russia's Tatarstan, the site of a Shahed-type drone factory, independent news channel Astra reported.
Ukraine Reforms Tracker Weekly — Issue 22
Editor’s note: This is issue 22 of Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak’s weekly "Ukraine Reforms Tracker" covering events from April 14–20, 2025. The digest highlights steps taken in the Ukrainian parliament related to business, economics, and international financial programs. The Kyiv Independent is republishing with permission. Benchmarks and
Ukraine Business Roundup — The mining company losing faith in Trump's minerals deal
The following is the April 22, 2025 edition of our Ukraine Business Roundup weekly newsletter. To get the biggest news in business and tech from Ukraine directly in your inbox, subscribe here. As a U.S.-proposed deal for Ukraine’s natural resources stalled amid months of tense negotiations, some
Trump admin fires coordinator responsible for collecting data on Russia's war crimes in Ukraine, WP reports
The White House also disbanded the Justice Department's War Crimes Accountability Team and dismantled a program to seize assets of sanctioned Russian oligarchs, the WP reported.
Irpin mayor involved in smuggling cars under guise of humanitarian aid, investigation claims
None of the vehicles were delivered to Ukraine's defense forces, the investigation claims.
'This is a very dangerous moment' — Zelensky warns against US withdrawal from peace effort
Ukraine would not want the U.S. to withdraw from peace talks on ending Russia's full-scale invasion, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 22 during a press conference.
Ukraine's, UK's defense and foreign ministers meet in London
"We are grateful to the UK for its leadership and support. We will discuss ways to strengthen Ukraine and guarantee long-term peace and security," Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.
Vance expects territorial concessions from Russia, Ukraine in potential peace deal
U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on April 23 that the U.S. presented a "very explicit proposal" to Russia and Ukraine on a peace deal, repeating warnings Washington might drop its peace effort if the belligerent sides refuse.
US not pushing for Ukraine's demilitarization as part of peace deal, Reuters reports
The U.S. does not call for reducing Ukraine's military capabilities and is not opposed to a European peacekeeping force in the country, Reuters reported on April 23, citing two undisclosed sources.
Ukrainian delegation arrives in London as high-level peace talks get downgraded
The meeting will take place at a lower level than planned, as top U.S. and European diplomats are skipping the event amid reported disagreements on key points of the U.S. peace plan.
Trump's reported 'final' peace plan includes accepting Russian occupation, few benefits for Ukraine
The U.S. reportedly presented its peace proposal last week during a meeting with Ukrainian officials in Paris.
4 killed, 88 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day
Russian attacks across Ukrainian regions killed at least four civilians and injured at least 88, including children, over the past day, regional authorities reported on April 23.
9 killed, 42 injured after Russian drone hits bus in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast
A Russian drone attack against the town of Marhanets in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on the morning of April 23 killed at least nine people and injured at least 30, Governor Serhii Lysak reported.
European foreign ministers to also skip London talks on Ukraine
Chief diplomats of the U.K., France, and Germany have suspended their plans to attend the talks in London on how to end Russia's war against Ukraine, Sky News reported on April 23.
General Staff: Russia has lost 944,270 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
The number includes 1,210 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
Orban casts vote against Ukraine’s accession to the EU in ongoing nationwide poll
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban voted on April 22 in a national poll opposing Ukraine’s accession to the EU, publicly sharing photos of himself marking “against” on the ballot.
Switzerland joins EU sanctions against Russian state media
The Swiss sanctions against eight Russian propaganda outlets will come into force on April 23, 2025.
Ukraine shares evidence of Chinese citizens, companies involved in Russia's war
During a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Ukraine Ma Shengkun, Deputy Foreign Minister Yevgen Perebyinis shared evidence that companies are producing military equipment for Russia.
US judge orders Trump administration to restore Voice of America
U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth ordered the reinstatement of all employees and the restoration of VoA programming so that it can "serve as a consistently reliable and authoritative source of news."
Rubio, Witkoff decline to attend Ukraine peace talks in London
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff were originally expected to attend, but have since pulled out, U.S. and European officials told the Financial Times.
EU will never recognize Crimea as Russian, Kallas says
"Crimea is Ukraine. It means a lot for the ones who are occupied that others don't recognize this as Russian."
Chechen scholar: Russia’s cowardly violence in Ukraine is driven by desperation
For most people today, the word Chechnya immediately brings to mind Ramzan Kadyrov, the authoritarian leader who governs the region as a loyal vassal of Vladimir Putin. It evokes images of a turbulent, fear-stricken state at the mercy of the Kremlin’s whims. Yet, Chechnya’s story is far more
Ukraine war latest: Explosions rock what could be one of Russia's largest weapons arsenals in Vladimir Oblast
Key developments on April 22: * Explosions rock what could be one of Russia's largest weapons arsenals in Vladimir Oblast * Putin offers US to freeze Ukraine war along current front line, FT reports * Zelensky rules out recognizing Crimea as Russian, warns against playing into Putin's 'game' * Russia used Easter truce to
Putin offers US to freeze Ukraine war along current front line, FT reports
This could be the first formal indication from Russian President Vladimir Putin since the full-scale war began in 2022 that Russia may consider scaling back its territorial demands.
Zelensky rules out recognizing Crimea as Russian, warns against playing into Putin's 'game'
"There is nothing to talk about. This violates our Constitution. This is our territory, the territory of the people of Ukraine," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
SBU charges 14 Russian Orthodox Church leaders for role in seizing churches in occupied Ukraine
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has formally charged 14 high-ranking metropolitans and archbishops of the Russian Orthodox Church for their involvement in the illegal seizure of Ukrainian churches in Russian-occupied territories, the agency announced on April 22.
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