Russia halts Kuril Islands treaty talks with Japan over sanctions

8:11 PM

Europe struggles to find troops for Ukraine's 'deterrence force,' the Times reports.

European nations would struggle to deploy even 25,000 troops to Ukraine as part of a proposed multinational “deterrence” force, far short of the 64,000-strong target suggested by U.K. defense officials, the Times reported on April 30 citing undisclosed European defense sources.

7:04 PM

Trump claims 5,000 Russian, Ukrainian soldiers killed each week. Here’s what the numbers say

6:55 PM

Ukraine Business Roundup — How Russia steals Ukrainian coal

6:43 PM

Minerals deal faces last-minute delay amid dispute, Financial Times reports.

Reuters reported on April 30 that Washington expects Ukraine to sign two additional documents along with the minerals deal, while Kyiv maintains those texts are not yet finalized.

5:37 PM

Video

Crunch time for Republicans on Ukraine, says ex-US State Senator.

The Kyiv Independent's Francis Farrell sits down with retired U.S. Army officer and former Nebraska State Senator Tom Brewer in the front-line city of Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast, to discuss U.S.-Ukraine relations under the Trump administration, why Nebraska is interested in Ukraine's post-war recovery and why it's important for U.S. politicians to visit Ukraine to counter myths by Russian propaganda.

7:29 PM  (Updated:  April 30, 2025 5:20 pm)

Trump & Ukraine

Trump promised peace in Ukraine in first 100 days, but Russia's violence only escalated

5:17 PM

Zelensky urged Trump to toughen stance on Putin during Vatican meeting, Axios says.

President Volodymyr Zelensky reportedly pressed U.S. President Donald Trump to return to his original proposal of an unconditional ceasefire as the starting point for peace talks.

4:28 PM

Kremlin says Russia ready for mass mobilization like in WWII 'at any moment'.

"If a great country needs to stand up, it will stand up at any moment," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.

2:43 PM  (Updated:  April 30, 2025 4:05 pm)

Ukraine ready to sign minerals deal with US on April 30, source in President's Office confirms.

According to the source, the final version of the deal includes a 50-50 investment structure between the two countries and contains "a lot of good details."

2:36 PM

3 killed, 70 injured in Russian attacks on Ukraine over past day.

"Russian drones continue flying in the skies over Ukraine all morning. And so it goes every day," President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on X, calling for stronger sanctions against Russia.

1:21 PM

India's Modi declines Putin's invitation to Moscow Victory Day parade.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that while India "will be represented," it will not be at the highest level and did not specify Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reasons for refusing the invitation.

12:34 PM

'5 explosions' — Ukrainian drones strike Russian military plant in Murom, source claims.

The facility, known locally as the city's "powder factory," produces ignition components for ammunition used by Russia's Armed Forces, Interior Ministry, and Federal Security Service (FSB), according to Russia's National Defense magazine.

12:15 PM

Yermak warns against easing Russian aviation sanctions, says line between civilian and military use is 'blurred'.

The article follows Russia's formal request that the U.S. lift sanctions on its state airline Aeroflot.

10:42 AM

Hungarian Parliament votes to withdraw from International Criminal Court.

The decision formalizes Hungary's intention, first announced in early April during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Budapest.

11:48 PM  (Updated:  April 30, 2025 10:37 am)

Russian drone attack injures 47 in Kharkiv.

"There have been 16 strikes on Kharkiv," Mayor Ihor Terekhov wrote on Telegram. "A high-rise apartment block was hit as well as private residences, a medical facility, and civil infrastructure."

10:11 AM

600 North Korean troops killed fighting for Russia against Ukraine, South Korea says.

North Korea has suffered about 4,700 casualties in total, including both dead and wounded, South Korean lawmaker Lee Seong-kweun said.

8:58 AM

Zelensky warns Russia is 'preparing something' in Belarus under guise of military drills.

"Look at Belarus — this summer, Russia is preparing something there under the guise of military exercises. This is how its new attacks usually start," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

8:14 AM

General Staff: Russia has lost 951,960 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022.

The number includes 1,100 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

7:42 AM

Nearly 105,000 Russian soldiers killed in Ukraine identified by media investigation.

Since the list was last updated in the middle of April, 2,880 additional Russian military personnel have been confirmed killed.

6:47 AM

'I don't trust a lot of people' — Trump offers contradictory views on Putin's intentions in interview on first 100 days.

"He could be tapping me along a little bit, I would say that he would like to stop the war," Trump said during the ABC News interview on April 29.

5:12 AM

8 Ukrainian officials, entrepreneurs charged with embezzling $2.1 million in firewood purchases for Armed Forces.

Among the suspects are the head of the housing and utilities departments in Luhansk and Kharkiv, a procurement official, and three entrepreneurs, the National Police said.

2:54 AM

'Three-day ceasefire is absurd' — Kellogg slams Russia’s short truce proposal.

The comments come amid Trump’s increasing frustration with what he sees as Moscow’s refusal to end its war against Ukraine, as Russian attacks against Ukrainian civilians persist.

12:53 AM

US says 2 Ukrainian nationals detained for alleged illegal voting in 2024 presidential election.

"Under Donald Trump’s presidency, if you come to our country and break our laws, you will be held accountable," U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem wrote.

10:50 PM

Putin demands full control of 4 Ukrainian regions, stalling US ceasefire push, Bloomberg reports.

One source told Bloomberg that negotiations have reportedly reached an impasse and require "direct contact between Putin and Trump" to make further progress.

10:32 PM

War update

Ukraine war latest: Russia announces beginning of 'direct talks' with Ukraine; Kyiv hasn't commented yet