Kyiv Independent to launch new weekly newsletter

12:12 PM

'Difficult, but not critical' — Ukraine's economy minister reacts to Trump's tariffs.

Ukraine's exports to the U.S. in 2024 amounted to $874 million, including $363 million in cast iron and $112 million in pipes, Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said.

11:48 AM

Ukraine's fugitive ex-PM reportedly running for Russian Academy of Sciences.

Mykola Azarov, who led the Ukrainian government under pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych, is a candidate for the RAS membership in mining sciences.

11:29 AM

Russia spends nearly $220 million to rig Moldova's election, EU referendum in 2024, Chisinau says.

Earlier, the U.K. imposed sanctions on the pro-Russian NGO "Eurasia," which is allegedly responsible for attempts to rig the referendum in Moldova.

11:10 AM

Russia declares Elton John AIDS Foundation 'undesirable.'

The non-profit, based in the U.S. and the U.K. and launched in 1992, says it works in over 90 countries "to increase access to health care, tackle LGBTQ+ stigma, and end AIDS."

10:34 AM

Ukrainian delegation may visit US in coming days to discuss minerals deal, treasury secretary says.

Scott Bessent said Kyiv has hired counsel and that the deal is "ready on our side."

10:12 AM

5 killed, 40 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day.

Ukrainian air defenses shot down 28 of the 39 strike and decoy drones launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force said. Seven decoy drones disappeared from radars without causing damage, according to the statement.

9:20 AM

US defense secretary to skip Ramstein summit for the first time, media reports.

U.S. Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth will not take part in the Ramstein-format meeting of Ukraine's partners next week, Defense News magazine reported on April 2, citing undisclosed official sources.

8:51 AM

Russia, Belarus excluded from Trump's sweeping tariffs due to existing sanctions, White House says.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said that Russia and Belarus were left off the list because of the already imposed economic sanctions.

8:35 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 919,570 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

This number includes 1,390 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.

7:48 AM

UK proposes plan to establish joint European fund for rearmament, FT reports.

The U.K. has begun floating plans to European allies to establish a joint European military fund for the purchase of military equipment and weaponry as a means to rearm Europe, the Financial Times (FT) reported on April 2.

6:58 AM

Ukraine facing $10 billion deficit for reconstruction in 2025.

According to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, international donors have allocated nearly $7.4 billion for "priority recovery projects" in 2025, leaving a nearly $10 billion deficit to finance reconstruction projects in 2025.

6:26 PM  (Updated:  April 3, 2025 6:08 am)

Updated: Russian negotiator meets with Trump envoy in Washington, media reports.

Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, who played a role in backchannel diplomacy between Moscow and the Trump administration in 2016, is met Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's envoy, according to Reuters.

5:16 AM

Ukraine secures return of 11 children from Russia, Russian-occupied territories.

Ukraine successfully brought back 11 children who had been forcibly taken to Russia as well as Russian-occupied territory, Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak announced on April 2.

4:39 AM

Ukraine to receive $432 million from World Bank towards transport infrastructure restoration.

The DRIVE project will provide funding for the "extensive repairs of roads and bridges in 19 regions, reform of national roads, installation of modular bridges and technical assistance," Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on X on April 2.

2:57 AM

Trump's Ukraine envoy believes Russia and Ukraine nearing ceasefire.

"Trump is frustrated with both Zelensky and Putin as well, but we’re going to get there," U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, told Fox News. "What we want to have is a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire."

1:56 AM

Parliament speaker Stefanchuk blocks Poroshenko’s US trip to international security conference, party says.

European Solidarity called the blocked trip a violation of democratic principles, accusing the speaker of Ukraine's parliament of obstructing opposition activity and undermining parliamentary diplomacy.

12:20 AM

Trump ignites trade war against all, slaps 20% tariff on EU, 10% on Ukraine.

The European Union is set to receive a 20% tariff, while goods from China will be hit with an additional 34%. Ukraine is also included on the list, subject to a 10% tariff.

11:01 PM

Interview

‘We're talking naval, air and land’ – Lithuanian foreign minister on the ‘Coalition of the Willing’

10:55 PM

Russia's State Duma moves to expand state repression with new legislation.

The proposed laws broaden the definition of "foreign agents," allow trials in absentia for anti-war offenses, and introduce harsher penalties for "discrediting" the military.

10:47 PM

European Union

'It's a trap' — Trump’s US minerals deal threatens Ukraine’s EU membership

10:33 PM

Russian bomber crashes in Irkutsk Oblast, pilot killed.

Irkutsk Oblast Governor Igor Kobzev attributed the crash to a technical malfunction and said no local residents were injured.

10:17 PM

Ukraine war latest: US sanctions Russian firms but lifts sanctions on Putin ally's wife.

9:41 PM

US sanctions Russian firms but lifts sanctions on Putin ally's wife.

The Treasury Department did not provide a reason for Karina Rotenberg's removal from the sanctions list.

7:13 PM  (Updated:  April 2, 2025 9:10 pm)

Four killed, 14 injured in Russian missile attack on Kryvyi Rih.

The strike damaged apartment buildings and caused a fire at the scene, where rescue operations are ongoing, said Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the city’s military administration.

8:35 PM

US sanctions network supplying Houthis with stolen Ukrainian grain, Russian arms.

The sanctioned network helped the Houthis acquire "tens of millions of dollars' worth of commodities from Russia, including weapons and sensitive goods, as well as stolen Ukrainian grain," according to the Treasury.