EU dismisses referendums planned in Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine as illegitimate

10:26 AM

US shifting focus from Ukraine war mediation, calling for Kyiv and Moscow to engage directly, State Dept says.

"We are not going to fly around the world at the drop of a hat to mediate meetings; that is now between the two parties, and now is the time that they need to present and develop concrete ideas about how this conflict is going to end," U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said.

9:12 AM

US-Ukraine minerals fund could begin operating within months, Economy Minister says.

"Our task is to do this as soon as possible, but it is very difficult to predict it now. I think it will take months, definitely not years," First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said.

8:14 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 954,300 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,110 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

7:52 AM

Experts warn US-Ukraine minerals deal may take a decade to deliver returns, Reuters reports.

Despite the uncertainty, Ukrainian officials have touted the deal as a political milestone that could help revive U.S. support under Donald Trump.

12:35 AM  (Updated:  May 2, 2025 6:38 am)

Russian drone attack on Zaporizhzhia kills 1, injures 28.

Russia forces launched drone attacks on Zaporizhzhia late at night on May 1, killing one person and injuring seven others, local officials reported.

5:42 AM

Vance says war in Ukraine won’t end 'any time soon,' urges sides to agree on peace terms.

It is "going to be up to the Russians and Ukrainians now that each side knows what the other's terms for peace are. It's going to be up to them to come to an agreement and stop this brutal, brutal conflict," U.S. Vice President JD Vance said.

4:38 AM

French minister calls Putin 'sole obstacle' to peace as EU prepares 17th sanctions round, AFP reports.

"Vladimir Putin's Russia has made no effort, has sent no sign that it is ready for the ceasefire or the peace that President Donald Trump aspires to, and that the Europeans and, of course, the Ukrainians aspire to," French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said.

2:09 AM

'This is a total economic partnership' —Treasury Secretary suggests reset in relations between US, Ukraine amid newly-signed minerals deal.

"I think this is a strong signal to the Russian leadership and it gives President Trump the ability to now negotiate with Russia on an even stronger basis as opposed to the daylight that had been previously created between the U.S. and Ukraine," U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox Business on May 1.

12:03 AM

Putin may have shifted war objectives towards holding occupied territories, boosting economy, intelligence suggests.

New Western intelligence suggests that Russian President Vladimir Putin may have shifted his immediate war objectives towards holding occupied Ukrainian territories as well as growing his country's struggling economy, CNN reported on May 1, citing Western officials familiar with the matter.

11:11 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Ukraine destroys 83,000 Russian targets using drones in April, Syrskyi says

10:43 PM

Civilian captives

Trump’s peace effort ignores thousands of Ukrainians still tortured in Russian captivity

10:32 PM

Trump confirms Waltz’s resignation, nominates him as US Ambassador to the UN.

In the interim, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will take on the role of national security adviser while continuing to lead the State Department.

10:02 PM

Julie Davis appointed interim head of US embassy in Ukraine.

She will serve as chargé d’affaires until a new U.S. ambassador to Ukraine is appointed by President Donald Trump.

9:59 PM

What we learned from Ukrainian officials’ wealth disclosures

9:51 PM

Rubio presses Europe to 'step up' support for Ukraine in talks with French FM.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised France’s leadership in building support for a peace agreement, but stressed that European partners must “step up with real resources and political will” if they hope to bring the war to an end.

9:43 PM

Naftogaz profits grow 64% in 2024 despite Russian attacks on energy infrastructure.

Naftogaz Group, Ukraine's state-owned oil and gas giant, reported a net profit of Hr 38 billion ($913 million) for 2024, marking a 64% increase from the previous year, the company announced on May 1.

9:09 PM

Ukraine's Supreme Court rules religious belief does not exempt citizens from military service during wartime.

The ruling comes from a case involving a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, a religious group whose doctrine forbids any form of military service.

2:19 PM  (Updated:  May 1, 2025 8:15 pm)

KI Insights

Ukraine calendar: Events to look out for this week

7:59 PM

Zelensky says minerals deal signing first result of talks with Trump in Vatican.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the minerals agreement — which sets up a joint investment fund between Kyiv and Washington — had been significantly revised during months of negotiations to ensure equal terms and benefits for both sides.

1:53 PM  (Updated:  May 1, 2025 7:23 pm)

Ukrainian activist, volunteer Sternenko injured in attack, suspect detained.

According to the SBU, the attack on Serhii Sternenko was an attempted assassination involving a firearm. His life is not in danger.

7:20 PM

Business

‘Warm words rather than real investment’ — uncertainty surrounds newly-signed U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal

6:53 PM

Trump dismisses national security adviser Mike Waltz.

Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy and longtime ally, is reportedly being considered as a possible replacement for Mike Waltz.

6:20 PM

US to bring Ukraine, Russia together over the next 100 days, Vance says.

When asked about the current state of negotiations with Russia and Ukraine, Vice President JD Vance told Fox News "the first and necessary step of getting the Russia-Ukraine conflict solved is to get each of them to make a peace proposal.”

5:03 PM

Zelensky imposes sanctions on former adviser, Kremlin-linked figures, Russian companies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has imposed new sanctions against a number of individuals and entities, including former presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych, pro-Kremlin commentators, and several major Russian companies.

4:49 PM

Ukrainian army retook 115 positions in April, Syrskyi says.

Syrskyi said the successes underscored the need to further expand drone operations.