Exhumations of Volyn massacre Polish victims begin in western Ukraine
This is the first such exhumation since 2017, when Ukraine imposed a moratorium in response to the destruction of Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) memorials in Poland.
Ukraine
Europe rejects US push to recognize Russian occupation of Crimea, FT reports
An unnamed senior European official told the FT that the Trump administration had already been informed that European capitals would not recognize Crimea as Russian.
Ukraine brings back body of journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna tortured in Russian captivity, official says
Ukrainian officials confirmed Roshchyna's death on Oct. 10, 2024, but said that the circumstances were still under investigation. Russia did not hand over her body for about five months.
Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 13, injure at least 97 over past day
Ukrainian forces downed 64 out of the 145 Shahed-type and other drones, as well as 48 out of the 70 missiles, launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported.
Ukraine, US to start working on free trade zone, Shmyhal says
According to Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the parties also discussed "important political aspects" of the long-debated future minerals deal between Kyiv and Washington.
Zelensky posts 2018 US Crimea Declaration amid Trump's policy shifts
The post seems to refer to the U.S. reportedly proposing de jure recognition of Russian control over the southern Ukrainian peninsula, which Russia has occupied since 2014.
Zelensky visits South Africa but cuts trip short after mass Russian strike
"We count on South Africa’s meaningful participation in the International Coalition for the return of thousands of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. We will also certainly strengthen our cultural and educational ties," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
General Staff: Russia has lost 945,330 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
The number includes 1,060 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Trump declines to say whether he wants Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian
"I just want to see the war end, I don’t care," Trump told reporters. "If they’re both happy, they both sign an agreement, I have no favorites. I don’t want to have any favorites. I want to have a deal done."
Trump: 'I think we have a deal with both,' Russia, Ukraine
"I think we have a deal with both, I hope they do it," U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
'Russian peace in all its glory' — Mass Russian missile, drone attack on Kyiv kills 8, injures over 70
Authorities initially reported nine people killed, but the Prosecutor General's Office later said only eight fatalities had been confirmed.
'It's time to move forward,' Kellogg says following London peace talks
"It's time to move forward on (U.S.) President (Donald) Trump's (Ukraine-Russia) war directive: stop the killing, achieve peace, and put America First," U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg said.
Zelensky 'moving in the wrong direction' on peace talks, White House claims
"(U)nfortunately, President Zelensky seems to be moving in the wrong direction," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Ukraine war latest: US expects territorial concessions from Russia, Ukraine in potential peace deal
Key developments on April 23: * US expects territorial concessions from Russia, Ukraine in potential peace deal * Ukraine insists on unconditional ceasefire at London peace talks * Trump says 'nobody is asking' Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian * 'Groundless accusations, political manipulations' — China reacts to Ukraine summoning its envoy * Ukrainian drone strike
'US tells Russia crimes it commits are acceptable' — What recognition of Russia's occupation of Crimea would mean for Ukrainians, Crimean Tatars
The U.S. is reportedly considering officially recognizing Russian control over occupied Crimea as part of a potential peace agreement — a territorial concession that would kill the existing world order and is deemed unacceptable by Ukraine. According to Axios, the Trump administration's final proposal for ending Russia's all-out war against
Kremlin spokesperson reiterates demands for Ukraine to give up territory in exchange for end to war
In an interview with French outlet Le Point, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov laid out Moscow’s demands for a ceasefire in Ukraine, including the full recognition of Russia’s claim over four Ukrainian oblasts it partially occupies, neutral status for Ukraine, and an end to all Western military support.
Ukraine insists on unconditional ceasefire at London peace talks
The London meeting, originally intended as a ministerial-level summit involving the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, and Ukraine, was notably downgraded after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff declined to participate.
Ukraine has no great options if Trump recognizes Crimea as Russian
Ukraine is facing a crossroads in its fight against Russia's full-scale invasion, with the possibility of being forced to reject an unfavorable peace deal being imposed under huge pressure from the U.S.
Ukrainian drone strike hits Russian drone factory over 1,000 kilometers from border, military claims
The strike, carried out by Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces in coordination with other branches of the military, targeted a plant in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone of Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan, the General Staff said.
US envoy Witkoff to meet Putin in Moscow on April 25, media reports
The visit comes as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to broker a ceasefire in Russia's war against Ukraine. Washington has warned it may withdraw from the mediation process if no progress is made in the coming days.
Rubio skeptical Ukraine-Russia peace deal will happen this week
“I don’t know about by the end of the week. I’m hopeful that we can get to something quickly,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an interview with the Honestly podcast on April 23.
Trump says 'nobody is asking' Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian
"Nobody is asking (President Volodymyr) Zelensky to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory, but if he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?" U.S. President Donald Trump wrote.
Media identifies over 1,500 foreign mercenaries from 48 countries Russia recruited for war in Ukraine
Despite Russian President Vladimir Putin's earlier claims that Russia had "no need" for foreign fighters, the data reveals widespread recruitment through official military selection points in Moscow.
If Trump recognizes Crimea, the biggest losers are Ukraine — and the US, experts say
Formally recognizing Crimea as Russian would breach international law and potentially open the door to further global conflicts, experts warn.
'Dangerous and cruel' — Trump's reported Crimea proposal sparks horror among Ukraine's lawmakers
Reports that the U.S. could formally give de jure recognition to Russia's control over Crimea have landed like a bombshell in Kyiv.
'Groundless accusations, political manipulations' — China reacts to Ukraine summoning its envoy
A day earlier, Chinese Ambassador to Ukraine Ma Shengkun was invited to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry to meet with Deputy Foreign Minister Yevhen Perebyinis.
Ukraine insists on 'immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire,' Zelensky says
Ukraine insists on an "immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 23 amid strained peace efforts and intensifying Russian attacks.
Downgraded peace talks between US, Ukraine, and European allies begin in London
The meeting was to be held at a ministerial level, but was downgraded after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio canceled his participation.
'Ukraine ready to negotiate, but not surrender,' Deputy PM says amid strained peace efforts
Ukraine will not accept a peace agreement that would give Russia a chance to regroup for further attacks and sees a full ceasefire as "the necessary first step," Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said on April 23.
London talks suspended over 'lack of consensus on some issues,' Kremlin claims
Russia continues to engage with the U.S. on a possible settlement of the war in Ukraine, but not with Kyiv and Europe, the Kremlin said. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is still expected to visit Russia despite the breakdown of the London summit.
Drone attack reported in Russian region hosting 'kamikaze' drone factory
Russian air defenses intercepted drones in the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Russia's Tatarstan, the site of a Shahed-type drone factory, independent news channel Astra reported.
Ukraine Reforms Tracker Weekly — Issue 22
Editor’s note: This is issue 22 of Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak’s weekly "Ukraine Reforms Tracker" covering events from April 14–20, 2025. The digest highlights steps taken in the Ukrainian parliament related to business, economics, and international financial programs. The Kyiv Independent is republishing with permission. Benchmarks and
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