Ukrainians react to US proposal of recognizing Crimea as Russian

9:53 PM

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.

9:46 PM

Crimea

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.

9:36 PM

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.

9:10 PM

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.

8:08 PM

Video

Ukrainians react to US proposal of recognizing Crimea as Russian.

The U.S. media outlet Axios reported on April 23 that the U.S. President Donald Trump administration's final proposal for ending the Russia-Ukraine war included the U.S. de jure recognizing Russia's annexation of Crimea and de facto recognizing its control of other occupied Ukrainian territories. We asked Kyiv residents for their reactions to the U.S. proposal.

7:21 PM  (Updated:  April 23, 2025 7:55 pm)

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.

7:39 PM

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.

7:12 PM

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.

7:00 PM

Peace Talks

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.

12:26 PM  (Updated:  April 23, 2025 5:52 pm)

Vance expects territorial concessions from Russia, Ukraine in potential peace deal.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on April 23 that the U.S. presented a "very explicit proposal" to Russia and Ukraine on a peace deal, repeating warnings Washington might drop its peace effort if the belligerent sides refuse.

5:27 PM

News Feed

'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.

3:03 PM  (Updated:  April 23, 2025 4:58 pm)

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.

3:59 PM

'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.

3:45 PM

‘There are not enough’ — Putin admits gaps in Russian weapons manufacturing.

Despite significantly ramping up weapons production last year, Russia's armed forces are still missing key military equipment, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

12:39 AM  (Updated:  April 23, 2025 3:45 pm)

The 2014 annexation of Crimea — How Russia stole Ukraine's peninsula

3:44 PM

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.

3:25 PM

EU considers ways to ban new Russian gas contracts, Reuters reports.

The European Commission is exploring options to legally prohibit EU companies from signing new contracts for the supply of Russian fossil fuels, Reuters reported on April 22, citing an unnamed senior EU official.

2:48 PM

'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.

2:31 PM

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.

1:58 PM

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.

1:52 PM

Ukraine Reforms Tracker Weekly — Issue 22

1:32 PM

Ukraine Business Roundup — The mining company losing faith in Trump's minerals deal

1:28 PM

Trump admin fires coordinator responsible for collecting data on Russia's war crimes in Ukraine, WP reports.

The White House also disbanded the Justice Department's War Crimes Accountability Team and dismantled a program to seize assets of sanctioned Russian oligarchs, the WP reported.

1:12 PM

Irpin mayor involved in smuggling cars under guise of humanitarian aid, investigation claims.

None of the vehicles were delivered to Ukraine's defense forces, the investigation claims.

12:54 PM

'This is a very dangerous moment' — Zelensky warns against US withdrawal from peace effort.

Ukraine would not want the U.S. to withdraw from peace talks on ending Russia's full-scale invasion, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 22 during a press conference.