Editor's note: We asked members of the Kyiv Independent community to share the questions they have about the war. Here's what they asked and how we answered. Join our community to ask a question in the next round. Question: Is Ukraine formulating a plan to receive and house refugees from
"I think it's sort of absurd for (President Volodymyr) Zelensky to tell the (American) government, which is currently keeping his entire government and war effort together, that we are somehow on the side of the Russians," U.S. Vice President JD Vance said.
"You don't start a war against someone 20 times your size and then hope that people give you some missiles," U.S. President Donald Trump said.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had made the offer directly to U.S. President Donald Trump and previously raised it with former President Joe Biden's administration.
President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin's long-term objective is to restore a Russian empire that would include parts of NATO member states.
"Putin's ultimate goal is to revive the Russian Empire and reclaim territories currently under NATO protection... Considering all of this, I believe it could escalate into a world war," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
"This Friday marked exactly one month since Russia spurned the U.S. proposal for a full and unconditional ceasefire. They are not afraid...Only pressure – only decisive action – can change this."
President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a decree imposing sanctions on four politicians and prominent business figures on April 12.
Zelensky said he addressed the matter with U.S. President Donald Trump and with Ukraine's allies at the Ramstein summit in Brussels, which he joined virtually from Kryvyi Rih.
The sanctions lists include 71 people and 18 propaganda outlets spreading Russian propaganda. Fifty-nine more people are on the list targeting the so-called shadow fleet, including two Chinese captains.
"Putin was not satisfied with soldiers from North Korea. Now he is trying to cover his shortages by pulling in yet another nation — the Chinese," the president said.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky would join the meeting, co-chaired by Germany and the U.K., through a video conference, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius told journalists.
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a new sanctions package targeting Russia’s “shadow fleet” during his nightly address on April 10.
Brink's decision to leave was not influenced by her working relationship with Zelensky, sources familiar with the matter told the Financial Times.
"The Chinese government always asks Chinese nationals to stay away from areas of armed conflict, avoid any form of involvement in armed conflicts, and in particular avoid participation in any party's military operations," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said.
"I believe that certain time limits will provide opportunities to put pressure on Russia. If you have a ceasefire for an unclear period — it is a frozen conflict," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Key developments on April 9: * Over 160 Chinese nationals fight for Russia in Ukraine, obtained documents show * Russia's spring offensive has "effectively already begun," Syrskyi says * Ukraine open to buy US military aid package for $50 billion, Zelensky says * Russian military airfield reportedly targeted in mass drone attack At least
The president stressed that Ukraine is ready to contribute its land and resources, but expects the U.S. to bring in technologies and capital.
"We handed over to the American side a large package that we want to buy. To buy in one form or another," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
"Unfortunately, if you have morons and crooks like Zelensky and his puppet parliament running your country, it's a lost cause. Putin might be evil, but he is not a moron," Rep. Victoria Spartz said.
Key developments on April 8: * Ukraine captured 2 Chinese nationals fighting for Russia, Zelensky says * Russian forces sometimes outnumber Ukraine 10 to 1 in Lyman sector, military says * More Patriot systems for Ukraine the "best support" from US right now, Zelensky says * Belgium to provide Ukraine with $1-billion defense package
New Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine could be the strongest sign of U.S. support, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 8, just days after Russia's deadly missile attack on the city of Kryvyi Rih.
The funds will be used to purchase arms and strengthen Ukraine's defense sector, including the production of new types of weapons.
"We have information that there are much more than two such Chinese citizens in the occupier's units," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
The Kremlin has long-used Bucha in state propaganda, denying the extensively documented crimes committed by Russian forces.
In his nightly address, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine will increase production for the "full range of drones: from Mavics to long-range drones."
We continue to conduct active operations in border areas on enemy territory, and this is absolutely just — the war must return to where it came from," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 7.
President Volodymyr Zelensky appointed new ambassadors to seven countries on April 7. The appointments include Andriy Kostin, Ukraine's former Prosecutor General, who resigned in October 2024 amid a major corruption scandal.
Victoria Spartz also accused Zelensky of "insulting the American president" and doing a "disservice to the Ukrainian people."
"We are talking to Russia. We would like them to stop," Trump told reporters on April 6. His comments came after President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed his plea for a decisive response from the U.S. following Russia's continuous attacks against Ukraine.
The prolonged negotiations over a minerals deal, which have already tested relations between Kyiv and Washington, follow an effort to finalize a framework agreement earlier this year.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 6 that Russia is refusing to accept an unconditional ceasefire in order to keep launching missile strikes from the Black Sea.
Volodymyr Zelensky has been president of Ukraine since 2019. Born in Kryvyi Rih, an industrial city in central Ukraine, Zelensky was known as a media personality and actor before becoming Ukraine’s sixth president.
The 46-year-old’s transformation into a wartime leader saw his approval ratings rise from 37% before the full-scale invasion, to 90% in May 2022. His approval rating fell to 62% by the end of 2023.
Zelensky's five-year term officially ended in May 2024 but he remains president while martial law, enacted after the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, is in place. A February 2024 poll indicated that almost 70% of Ukrainians agree that Zelensky should remain in office and elections should be postponed until martial law is lifted.
(Updated: )
