APRIL 2025
April 1
Putin to Bolster Russian Army by 160,000 Troops
Amidst ongoing ceasefire and peace talks between Ukraine and the USA, Putin has ordered at least 160,000 men between 18 and 30 to be drafted into the army by mid-summer.
Zelensky Calls for Justice
President Zelensky has called for Russia to be punished for more than 183,000 war crimes it has committed since the start of the full-scale invasion.
Top European Diplomats Assure Support to Ukraine
Key diplomats from Spain, Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Poland and the European Union have pledged to redouble their aid to Ukraine and are considering new sanctions on Russia to force it to accept a ceasefire.
Sweden Preparing New Package to Ukraine
Sweden said it would donate $1.6 billion in new military aid to Ukraine, the largest package from the country since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Speaks from Moscow
The Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, said securing peace in Ukraine was a “no pain, no gain” situation and that any ceasefire agreement had to be binding, fair and acceptable for all parties. Wang also applauded Russia and the US for taking the first steps to normalising relations, which he said would be “good for stabilising the balance of power between major powers and inspires optimism in a disappointing international situation.”
April 2
Russia will not Accept Current Ceasefire Terms
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Sergei Ryabkov, said Moscow cannot accept US proposals to end the war as they do not address problems Moscow regards as having caused the war initially. Ryabkov stated that Moscow and Washington have so far been unable to rework the ceasefire proposal to make it acceptable to Russia.
Military and Financial Aid to Ukraine
President Zelensky announced that Ukraine has received an additional $3.8 billion in financial support from the EU. Zelensky also hopes that Germany’s new chancellor, Friedrich Mertz will approve the delivery of Taurus cruise missiles to bolster Ukraine’s defence.
Sweden Preparing for War
Swedish authorities have warned that the country should prepare for the risk of war and have announced a $10 million investment to inspect and renovate its civil defence shelters.
Finland Planning to Mine its Russian Border
Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said the country plans to withdraw from the international treaty banning antipersonnel mines, the latest signatory moving to ditch the ban over threats from Russia.
France to Deliver Surface-to-Air Missiles to Denmark
France said it will deliver several hundred Mistral surface-to-air missiles to Denmark, as French President Emmanuel Macron and Denmark’s King Frederik X pledged a “stronger” Europe. The move comes as Denmark has sought European backing to counter Trump’s threats to take over Greenland.
April 3
Ukraine and Russia Accuse Each Other of Striking Energy Facilities
Kyiv and Moscow have accused each other of continuing to target energy facilities despite the US-backed moratorium on strikes against such infrastructure.
Russia Closes Key Black Sea Port
Russia ordered the closure of a key Black Sea port which handles the exports of Kazakh oil refined by US companies Chevron and Exxon Mobile.
Eleven Ukrainian Children Returned to Kyiv
Eleven Ukrainian children were returned to Kyiv from Russia and Russian-occupied Ukraine under the Bring Kids Back UA initiative.
Russian Envoy to the US will visit Washington
The Kremlin said it is possible that Russian envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, will visit the US soon and said contact with Washington has been ongoing despite recent tensions.
April 4
American Reciprocal Tariffs on Ukraine Challenging but not Defeating
The 10% reciprocal tariffs imposed on Ukraine by the United States are “difficult, but not critical” said Kyiv’s Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. She also said Ukraine had an export volume of $874 million to the US last year while Kyiv bought goods worth $3.4 billion from the US during this period.
Zelensky Speaks on his Terms for Peace
In a meeting with Ukrainian leaders in Chernihiv, President Zelensky was adamant about maintaining the size of Ukraine’s army while in peace and also remaining resolute in its lack of recognizing illegally occupied regions as new Russian territories and instead pursuing diplomacy to return the land to Ukraine in the future.
Finland Calls on France or the UK to Engage with Russia
Finland’s President Alexander Stubb said France, or the United Kingdom as part of the “coalition of the willing” should take charge of engaging with Russia as part of Europe’s efforts to support Kyiv in the absence of the US.
US Withdraws from Investigative Committee of Russian War Crimes in Ukraine
The US has withdrawn from the team of European and US investigators put together under the EU’s judicial body Eurojust to collect evidence of potential Russian war crimes in Ukraine.
April 5
Europe Looking for Alternatives to Starlink for Ukraine
Germany has been paying for Ukraine’s access to a satellite internet network operated by France’s Eutelsat, as Europe seeks alternatives to Elon Musk’s Starlink.
NATO Allies Willing to Increase Defense Spending
European NATO allies and Canada said they are willing to ramp up defence spending, expressing willingness to comply with American demands for the size of their military budgets. NATO member states have spent billions of dollars more on defence but almost a third still don’t meet NATO’s target of at least 2 percent of their gross domestic product.
Ukraine and US Discussing Minerals Deal
A Ukrainian team of envoys will head to the US in the near future for discussions on a new framework for the minerals deal, public broadcaster Suspilne reported, citing Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.
EU Proclaims a New Ear with Central Asian States
The EU proclaimed a “new era” in ties with Central Asia at a major summit in Uzbekistan, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine accelerates the region’s drift from Moscow’s orbit and Brussels presses its influence in the region in the face of Russian and Chinese competition.
Germany Modernising its Arsenal
Germany said it would buy explosive drones for the first time as Berlin boosts investments in its armed forces to counter the growing threat from Russia against the continent.
April 7
France Calls for Definitive Stance Against Russia
French President Emmanuel Macron called for “strong action” against Russia if Moscow continues to “refuse peace.” “A ceasefire is needed as soon as possible,” Macron said.
Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concern over the lack of international pressure on Russia amid the “increasing” number of “daily Russian strikes on Ukraine.” While the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, denounced Russia’s “reckless disregard” for civilians, following Russia’s attack on Kryvyi Rih.
April 8
Russia and US on Ceasefire Talks
Vladimir Putin supports a ceasefire, but a “huge number” of questions remain unanswered and that there was a common understanding between Russia and the United States that mutual contact should continue. US President Donald Trump said he was “not happy” with Russia for bombing Ukraine “like crazy”. However, he also said Kyiv and Moscow were “sort of close” on a deal.
Ukraine Recognises Soldiers in Belgorod
For the first time, President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged that Ukrainian troops were present in Russia’s Belgorod region. “We continue active operations in the enemy’s border areas and this is absolutely justified,” the Ukrainian president said in his nightly address.
Ukraine Captures Two Chinese Nationals in Ukraine
Ukrainian troops have captured two Chinese nationals who were fighting in the ranks of the Russian military against Ukraine. “We have information that there are much more than two such Chinese citizens in the occupier’s units,” Zelensky said. “We have the documents of these prisoners, bank cards, personal data.”
April 9
American Ambassador to the UN Security Council Speaks on Ceasefire Terms
United States Ambassador to the United Nations Dorothy Shea told the UN Security Council that Washington “will have no patience” for negotiations made in bad faith or violation of any commitments in efforts to end Russia’s war on Ukraine. Adding that Putin’s actions will be used to judge Russia’s willingness to accept a ceasefire.
Nuclear Treaty Unlikely Between Russia and the US
Dmitry Peskov said it was very hard to imagine the start of negotiations with the US on a new nuclear arms reduction treaty due to the mutually strained trust with Washington, which was only now beginning to normalise.
China Summoned Over Presence of Chinese Nationals Fighting in Ukraine
The Ukrainian foreign ministry has summoned China’s charge d’affaires over the presence of Chinese citizens fighting for Russia, putting into question China’s declared stance of neutrality.
Belgian Prime Minister Promises Aid to Ukraine
The Belgian Prime Minister, Bart De Wever, announced his government had decided to provide a $1.19 billion aid package to Ukraine this year. He also said his country planned to support Kyiv with a similar package each year during his term.
April 10
US Military Chief Comments on Chinese Nationals
The head of US forces in the Asian Pacific region, Admiral Samuel Paparo, confirmed that two men captured by Ukraine while fighting for Russia were of Chinese origin. He also said any Russian offensive success in Europe would empower China in its own offensive ambitions.
Russia and the USA Holding Talks in Turkiye
Representatives of Russia and the USA are holding talks in Turkiye to normalise diplomatic relations after the war in Ukraine has caused the biggest confrontation between forces of the West and Russia since the height of the Cold War.
Russia Refuses to Comment on Chinese Accusations
Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on allegations that Chinese soldiers were fighting with Moscow’s troops against Ukraine.
China Warns Against Jumping to Conclusions
China warned parties in the Ukraine war against making “irresponsible remarks” after President Volodymyr Zelensky said Beijing knows that Russia is recruiting Chinese citizens through social media networks to fight in the conflict.
April 11
Footage Shows Four Ukrainian Prisoners of War Executed by Russian Soldiers
Footage from a Ukrainian surveillance drone showed four Ukrainian prisoners being shot dead by soldiers wearing Russian uniform markings.
Russian and American Prisoner Exchange
Russia released Russian American ballet dancer Ksenia Karelina, who was serving a 12-year prison sentence. Karelina was found guilty of treason by a Russian court for donating $52 to a US charity aiding Ukraine. She was swapped for Arthur Petrov, a German Russian citizen arrested in 2023.
China Releases Statement on Chinese Nationals in Russian Military
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called for a “sober” view of its role in the Ukraine crisis after Zelensky said Kyiv’s intelligence had information about 155 Chinese citizens fighting alongside Russian forces against Ukraine. A spokesperson for the ministry also warned against making “irresponsible” remarks about the presence of Chinese fighters in Ukraine.
The USA and Russia Hold Talks in Turkiye
The United States and Russia held talks in Istanbul, Turkiye, on normalising diplomatic relations between the two countries. The talks were led by Russia’s new ambassador to Washington, Alexander Darchiev, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sonata Coulter.
Coalition of the Willing Discuss Reassurance Force
The defence ministers from 30 countries who are part of the “coalition of the willing” met in Brussels to discuss a reassurance force for Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow. However, key questions about its mission and any support from the US remained unanswered.
Mark Rutte Urges for Continued Aid to Ukraine
NATO Secretary General, Mark Rutte participated in a Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) meeting at NATO headquarters, calling for additional and continued support from NATO member states to Ukraine throughout the year 2025.
April 12
Trump Lashes Out on Peace Talks
President Trump said that talks to end the war are going in a positive direction, however, he added that at a certain point “you just have to either put up or shut up.”
Russia Praises Trump’s Understanding of Russia
Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister, said that President Trump understands the situation between Russia and Ukraine better than any European leader. Emphasising that Trump understands the need to address the root causes of the conflict to resolve it.
German Refinery Calls for Russian Gas
A German refinery in the town of Schwedt, near the border of Poland is struggling to adapt to processing other raw materials, prompting calls for the return of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline.
April 14
Ukraine Holds Press Conference with Captured Chinese Nationals
Ukrainian authorities held a news conference where the Chinese prisoners of war who travelled to fight in Ukraine as mercenaries on behalf of Russia appeared to warn others not to follow in their footsteps.
US Divided on Stance on Ukraine and Trump Criticises Zelensky
Donald Trump criticised Zelensky and implied Kyiv had started the war against Russia, saying the Ukrainian leader wanted to purchase US missiles and start a war “against someone 20 times your size.” Trump also promised to deliver “some very good proposals” on resolving Russia’s war in Ukraine while officials in his administration are divided on how to approach the conflict, Trump administration officials have been at odds over how to approach the conflict, the Reuters with some suggesting Ukraine should cede territory to Russia and others pushing for more support for Ukraine. The Democrat opposition in the House of Representatives introduced legislation to bolster Ukraine’s defences and impose further sanctions against Russia.
The United Kingdom Disbursing Funding to Ukraine
The United Kingdom has transferred $990 million to Ukraine to help it buy air defences and artillery as part of a broader $50 billion international loan programme backed by frozen Russian assets.
April 15
Ukraine Martial Law may be extended until the Summer
Zelensky has proposed two bills to the Ukrainian parliament to extend military mobilisation and martial law in the country for another 90 days, ending on August 6.
Inconsistency Between Russian and American Claims of Peace Talks
Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, following a meeting with Vladimir Putin, said the Russian president was open to a “permanent peace” deal with Ukraine. However, Sergey Lavrov said in an interview that it was not easy to agree with the US on “key components” of a possible peace deal to end the war in Ukraine.
April 16
Steve Witkoff Said Putin is Open to Peace
Steve Witkoff, following a meeting with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, said the latter was open to a “permanent peace” deal with Ukraine. An envoy from Russia commented that Putin felt the meeting with Witkoff was “extremely productive.”
April 17
Meeting in Paris Between European, Ukrainian, and American Officials
A Ukrainian delegation met with representatives from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the United States in Paris to discuss an equitable ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv.
Ukraine and the US Take Concrete Step Towards Mineral Deal
Ukraine and the US signed a memorandum of intent, signalling a step towards finalising an agreement about the extraction of Ukraine’s rare earth metals.
President Zelensky Provides Update on War with Russia
President Zelensky said Russia has reduced strikes on Ukraine’s energy facilities but has started targeting civilian infrastructure instead, and that in response, his nation was prepared to buy at least 10 Patriot air defence systems from the US to protect itself from Russian attacks.
China’s Alleged Support for Russia’s War Effort
President Zelensky reported that Ukrainian intelligence has evidence that China has been selling gun powder and artillery munitions to Russia.
Russia Draws Red Line on Use of German-Supplied Taurus Missiles to Ukraine
A spokesperson of Russia’s foreign ministry said the use of a Taurus missile to strike Russia would be considered direct participation by Germany in the Ukrainian war. These comments followed Germany’s next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, who expressed willingness to supply Kyiv with the missiles to strike Russia.
April 18
Trump Says US Growing Disinterested in Ceasefire Negotiations
Donald Trump has expressed his frustration over the difficult and drawn-out ceasefire negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. The American president has threatened to withdraw American support and backing for Ukraine in negotiations if a deal is not reached soon.
April 19
Putin Declares Short Easter Truce
Russia declared a brief 30-hour truce for the Easter weekend, with Putin claiming he passed the message to Russian soldiers. However, Kyiv has reported that Russia has already broken its own proposed truce.
April 20
Russia Announces Mass Prisoner Exchange
The Russian Ministry of Defence announced a 246-prisoner exchange with Ukraine mediated by the United Arab Emirates.
The United Kingdom and the EU Pressure Russia on Easter Truce
The United Kingdom urged Russia to commit to a full ceasefire in Ukraine, “not just a one-day pause”, which reflects the reaction of the European Union, which has stated that Russia is capable of bringing peace and ending the war.
April 21
Ukraine Reports on Russian Ceasefire Violations
Ukraine reported nearly 3,000 Russian violations of their self-proposed ceasefire plan for Easter, and President Zelensky said the Ukrainian military had been ordered to mirror Russian actions.
Ukraine’s Winter-Gas-Needs Calculated
Ukraine’s former head gas transit operator has estimated that Ukraine will need to acquire 6.3 billion cubic metres of gas for the 2025-26 winter season due to record low levels of reserves because of war-related damage.
The United States Would Approve Extension of Easter Truce
The United States Department of Defence has welcomed a Russian extension of Putin’s proposed 30-hour Easter truce, and President Zelensky of Ukraine has called for a 30-day suspension of drone and artillery strikes against civilians.
April 22
Putin Open to Negotiations with Zelensky
Putin has suggested a willingness to begin negotiations with Zelensky to reach a ceasefire, however, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has expressed Russia’s stance that Ukraine is to blame for the war and must make concessions.
Trump Planning to Release His Peace Plan for Ukraine
President Trump said he would reveal his proposed peace plan for the Ukraine war this week, which could include the deployment of a European peacekeeping force to enforce the ceasefire.
April 23
Ukraine Will Not Recognise Occupied Territories as Russian
President Zelensky announced that Ukraine will not recognise any of the Russian-occupied territories as Russian land, including Crimea.
Putin Offering to Halt Invasionary Force
Putin has reportedly offered to stop his army’s military advancements in Ukraine at the current frontline and is willing to withdraw Moscow’s claims to parts of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia, and in return, the US would recognise the Crimean peninsula as Russian and also block Ukraine from joining NATO.
US Envoy Reported Trump Considering Putin’s Proposal
Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy to Russia, stated that President Trump is considering Putin’s proposal to end the war and prohibit Ukrainian NATO accession. Putin’s plan is largely aligned with Trump’s peace plan, which has been reported to include unofficial recognition of Russian control of nearly all areas occupied since the start of the war in Ukraine, would lift sanctions imposed on Russia and return a small part of Russian-occupied Kharkiv to Ukraine.
European Commission Researching New Sanctions
The European Commission is assessing whether it could forbid EU firms from signing new contracts for Russian fossil fuels and is working on legal options to allow EU companies to break existing gas supply contracts with Russia without penalties.
Denmark Increasing Military Spending
Denmark will spend $614 million on building and procuring 26 navy vessels for patrolling, oil spill response and surveillance of undersea cables as countries of the Baltic Sea grow increasingly nervous.
April 24
Macron Weighs in on Ceasefire
French President Emmanuel Macron commented that Kyiv cannot accept any Russian proposal of a ceasefire while being bombed frequently and intensively. The French leader reaffirmed Paris’s support for Ukraine and the territorial integrity of its borders.
Trump Calls for Putin to Stop
Following Russia’s largest drone attack and artillery strike against Kyiv this year, which left at least 12 dead and over 90 civilians wounded, President Trump took to social media to urge the Russian president to stop by writing, “Vladimir, STOP.”
April 25
NATO Secretary General Said Ending the War is Russia’s Responsibility
Mark Rutte, the Secretary General of NATO, said that reaching a deal to end the Ukraine War was now up to Moscow, acknowledging Ukraine’s willingness to negotiate and propose a serious deal, putting the pressure on Moscow to accept.
Ukraine and the USA are Still Working Towards Rare Earth Deal
Ukrainian Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko said that Ukraine is going “as fast as we can” on a critical minerals deal with the Trump administration, despite the American president saying earlier he expected the deal to be completed this week.
April 26
Zelensky Still Refusing American and Russian Stance on Crimea
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine’s position on Crimea has not changed, and that despite Ukraine not possessing the means to retake the peninsula, the nation’s allies can apply pressure through sanctions.
Moscow and Washington Relations Warming
The US envoy to Russia, Steve Witkoff, met with President Putin for three hours to discuss the war’s end and the normalisation of relations between the USA and Russia. Commentators from the Kremlin announced that a major deal between the US and Russia is coming soon. Trump added that most of the major details have been agreed to regarding reaching an agreement over Ukraine.
Trump Demands Zelensky to Sign Rare Earth Deal
President Trump took to social media to demand that President Zelensky “IMMEDIATELY” sign the long-delayed rare earths deal, which would give the US access to Ukraine’s rare earth reserves.
April 27
Russia Drives Ukrainian Forces Out of Kursk
Vladimir Putin hailed what he called the complete failure of a Ukrainian incursion into Kursk after Moscow claimed to have driven the last of the Ukrainian forces out of the region. Russia’s chief of the general staff, Valery Gerasimov, praised the “courage and heroism” of the North Korean soldiers active in Kursk.
Meeting Between Trump and Zelensky at Pope’s Funeral
Trump cast doubt on whether Putin wants a peace deal and has taken a tougher tone with Putin shortly after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at St Peter’s Basilica before Pope Francis’s funeral in Rome.