Russian media report explosion, drone collapse at airfields

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 list 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.

8:29 PM

occupied Ukrainian territories

Putin issued a decree. Now, millions of Ukrainians face an impossible decision

6:34 PM

‘Two big leaders were speaking secretly with Putin,’ Serbia's Vucic claims.

"I know at least two big leaders that were speaking secretly to (Putin) because of course I still have my friends in the Kremlin," Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said.

5:13 PM

Half of Russians back temporary ceasefire in Ukraine, poll shows.

The Levada Center survey found that 26% of respondents strongly support a truce, while 24% "somewhat support" it. Meanwhile, 41% oppose the idea, including 25% who strongly reject it.

4:01 PM

Defense Ministry hails progress in medical commissions reform after corruption scandals.

The Military Medical Commission conducts medical examinations to determine fitness for military service.

3:24 PM

$18 million embezzlement — Anti-graft agencies shed light on military food procurement scandal, press charges.

Ukraine's anti-corruption bodies on April 2 announced charges in a corruption case involving overpriced food purchases by the Defense Ministry between 2022 and 2023.

3:22 PM

Opinion

Ukraine, Russia must focus on ceasefire over peace deal