Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky has contradicted Donald Trump to again insist that the Crimean peninsula belongs to Kyiv, citing both the constitution of his country and international law.
The US president had said Crimea, which is occupied by Vladimir Putin’s forces, would stay with Russia.
The spat erupted after a senior Russian general was killed in a car bombing near Moscow.
Authorities identified the officer as Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, a top general in the Russian military, and said a criminal case into the attack had been opened.
The Kremlin blamed Kyiv after an explosive device was placed in his car in Balashikha just outside Moscow.
Several high-ranking Russian military figures have been assassinated since the start of the war in Ukraine in operations blamed by Moscow on Kyiv.
Meanwhile in Moscow, Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff met Vladimir Putin for critical talks on peace, after the US president claimed they were “very close” to a deal.
A Kremlin spokesman said the talks had brought the US and Russia closer.
Key Points
- Zelensky contradicts Trump to insist Crimea will never be Russian
- Trump lays into Zelensky – again
- Senior Russian military officer killed in car bombing
- Who was the Russian general killed in a car bombing?
- Kremlin blames Russian general killing on Ukraine
Trump U-turns on pledge to end war on Day 1
21:04 , Jane DaltonUS president Donald Trump campaigned for the presidency on ending Russia’s war in Ukraine on “day one” but now appears to have backpedalled, saying it was made “in jest”.
Trump campaigned on ending Ukraine war on Day 1. Now he said it was in ‘jest’
Kremlin says Putin-Witkoff talks brought US and Russia closer
20:27 , Jane DaltonPresident Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff met President Vladimir Putin for three hours in Moscow to discuss the US plan to end the war, and the Kremlin said the two sides' positions had moved closer.
Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov, who took part in the meeting, described it as constructive and very useful.
"This conversation allowed Russia and the United States to further bring their positions closer together, not only on Ukraine but also on a number of other international issues," he said.
"As for the Ukrainian crisis itself, the discussion focused in particular on the possibility of resuming direct negotiations between representatives of the Russian Federation and Ukraine."
Kyiv and US agreed rare earths outline last week
20:06 , Jane DaltonKyiv and Washington have been working for months to finalise details on rare earths.
Eight days ago, Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that was aimed at becoming a first step toward a broader joint economic partnership agreement.
She said the Kyiv Parliament and US Congress would have to approve the final text of the document.
How a 2.5bn-year-old rock deposit became central to helping stop Russia’s invasion
Trump lays into Zelensky – again
19:49 , Jane DaltonDonald Trump has again slated Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, this time blaming him for not having signed the agreement on rare earths with the US.
The US president wrote on social media: “Ukraine, headed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has not signed the final papers on the very important Rare Earths Deal with the United States. It is at least three weeks late.
“Hopefully, it will be signed IMMEDIATELY.”
He said work on the Ukraine-Russia peace deal was going smoothly.
Crimea belongs to us by law, Zelensky insists
19:36 , Jane DaltonPresident Volodymyr Zelensky has again insisted the Crimean peninsula belongs to Ukraine, citing both the constitution of Ukraine and international law.
He spoke in defiance of US president Donald Trump, who said the territory, which is under Russian control, would remain with Moscow – suggesting that would be the case under a US-brokered peace deal.
"Crimea will stay with Russia. And Zelensky understands that, and everybody understands that it's been with them for a long time," Mr Trump told Time magazine.
But Mr Zelensky said: “Our position is unchanged: only the Ukrainian people have the right to decide which territories are Ukrainian.
“The constitution of Ukraine states that all temporarily occupied territories are temporarily occupied. They all belong to Ukraine, to the Ukrainian people.
“Ukraine will not legally recognise any temporarily occupied territories. I think this is an absolutely fair position.”
Zelensky may be forced to miss Pope's funeral
19:01 , Jane DaltonUkraine’s President Zelensky has reportedly said he might miss Pope Francis's funeral in Rome tomorrow because of important military meetings.
Mr Zelensky, who had earlier said he would attend, said: "If I am not (there) in time, Ukraine will be represented at a proper level", noting that Ukraine's foreign minister and first lady will be there, the BBC reports.
The Ukrainian president said there were a "number of meetings" to be had over the Russian strike on Kyiv yesterday that killed 12 people.
"There are several closed questions about this strike and about Ukraine's corresponding steps. I don't know how long it will take. So if I have time, I will definitely be present (at the funeral)," Mr Zelensky said.
World leaders, including US President Donald Trump, are expected to attend the funeral.
WATCH: Witkoff and Putin meet in Moscow to discuss Ukraine
18:46 , Bryony GoochWhat the killing of a Russian general in Moscow means for Trump’s plan for peace in Ukraine
18:31 , Bryony GoochThe latest killing of a Russian general underscores the fact that Ukraine is still very much in the fight for its survival, world affairs editor Sam Kiley reports.
What the killing of a Russian general means for Trump’s plan for peace in Ukraine
Territorial concessions on the table if Russia commits to full and unconditional ceasefire, says Zelensky - reports
18:22 , Bryony GoochPresident Zelensky has suggested that Ukraine would be willing to “discuss territorial issues” with Russia, but only on the condition of a “full and unconditional ceasefire”.
He said in a press conference: “A full and unconditional ceasefire opens up the possibility to discuss everything”, according to the BBC.
“What President Trump says is true, and I agree with him in that today we do not have enough weapons to return control over the Crimean peninsula”, he added.
Previously, Kyiv has rulled out territorial concessions in exchange for peace. Donald Trump said in an interview with Time magazine, published today: “Crimea will stay with Russia”.
Mapped: Territory Ukraine could lose as details of US peace deal proposal revealed
18:16 , Bryony GoochThe US has laid out its “final” proposals for peace in Ukraine, making clear the territory which it says Kyiv must cede to Moscow in order to achieve peace.
The document, seen and published by Reuters, described a “final offer” made to both sides, including the legal recognition by Washington of Russian control over Crimea.
Washington also proposed de facto US recognition of Russian control of the occupied eastern Ukrainian region of Luhansk and parts of Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Kherson, all of which lie on the frontline.
It is unclear where the lines of demarcation would be, and whether Washington is demanding that Ukraine cede all of the land currently occupied by Russia in the regions of Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Kherson.
Here is a map of Ukraine in April 2025 by my colleague Alex Croft.
Kremlin blames Russian general killing on Ukraine
17:54 , Bryony GoochThe Kremlin has pointed the finger at Kyiv after Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik was killed by an explosive device placed in his car in Balashikha just outside Moscow.
Moskalik was deputy head of the main operational department in the General Staff of the Russian armed forces.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a state TV reporter: “The Kyiv regime once again simply shows its true nature. The Kyiv regime continues to be involved in terrorist activity on the territory of our country.”
“It shows once again that, despite the peace talks, we must be on guard and understand the nature of this regime.”
'Reasons to believe' Ukraine involved in Russian general killing, says Russian foreign ministry
17:46 , Bryony Gooch“There are reasons to believe that Ukrainian special services were involved in the killing”, said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova.
Russia’s investigative committee said that Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalik, a deputy head of the main operational department in the General Staff of the Russian armed forces, was killed by an explosive device placed in his car in Balashikha just outside Moscow.
Ms Zakharova continued: “If the investigation confirms the Ukrainian trace in this case, this will once again demonstrate to the world community the barbaric and treacherous nature of the Kyiv regime, which is betting on an escalation of military confrontation with Russia and irresponsibly ignoring constructive proposals aimed at finding a peaceful solution to the conflict”.
The spokesperson offered no evidence of Ukraine’s involvement in her speech.
In pictures: Mourners attend makeshift grave to teenager killed in Kyiv attack
17:29 , Bryony Gooch
Ballistic missile that killed Kyiv civilians had components manufactured in US, says Zelensky
17:14 , Bryony GoochPresident Zelensky has claimed that in the analysis of a missile that killed civilians in Kyiv, at least 116 components from the weapon were sourced from other countries, with most of them “unfortunately” manufactured by American companies.
As Trump envoy Steve Witkoff attended talks with Putin on Friday, Zelensky emphasised the importance of collective efforts in defence on X.
“In today’s world, any war can very quickly draw in a wide range of actors, and any country that becomes a victim of aggression is never defending itself against a single entity, but against a group of accomplices.
“That is why it is so important for defense to be based on collective efforts as well.”
He continued that Ukraine was grateful to “everyone around the world who is helping us protect the lives of our people, supplying us with air defense systems and missiles for them.
“We thank all those who continue to maintain pressure on Russia for this war – and on its accomplices. We insist that Russia must immediately and unconditionally agree to a full ceasefire.”
He continued that Ukraine had agreed to President Trump’s proposed ceasefire and offered to extend the ceasefire that could have been established on Easter, even proposing to Russia to halt strikes on civilian targets, which he claimed Russia rejected.
Kyiv bombing injured 90 with 30 remaining hospitalised with 'severe injuries and amputations'
17:03 , Bryony GoochPresident Zelensky confirmed that the attack on Kyiv injured nearly 90 people, with more than 30 in hospital, as well as killing 12 people.
Posting on X, he said: “On that day, in Kyiv, the Russians, unfortunately, killed 12 of our people and nearly 90 people were injured.
“More than 30 people remain hospitalized, including those with severe injuries and amputations.”
He said an investigation into the details about the ballistic missile was ongoing and rescue operations had been completed at the site of one of Russia’s strikes from Thursday.
Zelensky slams insufficient pressure on Russia and North Korea
16:52 , Bryony GoochVolodymyr Zelensky has called for more pressure on Russia and North Korea as US envoy Steve Witkoff went to Russia for talks with Putin.
In his latest post on X, Zelensky again stated it was “clear” the ballistic missile that killed 12 people in Kyiv was from North Korea.
He continued: “The lack of sufficient pressure on Russia allows them to import such missiles and other weapons – and to use them here, in Europe.
“The lack of sufficient pressure on North Korea and its accomplices enables, in particular, the production of such ballistic missiles.
“The missile that killed civilians in Kyiv contained at least 116 components sourced from other countries – and most of them, unfortunately, were manufactured by American companies.”
Talks between Russia and US bring countries 'closer together' says Kremlin aid
16:46 , Bryony GoochTalks between Vladimir Putin and Trump envoy Steve Witkoff, have reportedly brought Russia and the US closer together, said Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov.
He told reporters: "This conversation allowed Russia and the United States to further bring their positions closer together, not only on Ukraine but also on a number of other international issues.”
"As for the Ukrainian crisis itself, the discussion focused in particular on the possibility of resuming direct negotiations between representatives of the Russian Federation and Ukraine."
Why Zelensky may fear being dragged into a boxing match with Kyiv’s mayor
16:35 , Alex CroftThe Independent’s chief international correspondent Bel Trew writes:
The bitter feud between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the powerful mayor of his country’s capital, Vitali Klitschko, has been no secret.
Klitschko, a former heavyweight boxer, has in the past publicly accused the president of Ukraine of having autocratic tendencies, even saying in 2023 Zelensky was pushing Ukraine to become “no different from Russia, where everything depends on the whim of one man”.
Some believe Klitschko, who leads the opposition political party UDAR (which means "punch" in Ukrainian), harbours presidential ambitions himself.
Why Zelensky may fear being dragged into a boxing match with Kyiv’s mayor
Watch: US special envoy Witkoff meets Putin in Moscow to discuss Ukraine
16:22 , Alex CroftKremlin aide: Talks between Putin and Trump envoy 'constructive'
16:06 , Alex CroftTalks between Vladimir Putin and Trump envoy Steve Witkoff have been described as “constructive and useful” by a Kremlin aide.
The three-hour-long discussions brought the two sides closer on the issue of Ukraine, Yuri Ushakov said.
The two sides discussed renewing direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, he added.
Two civilians killed and one injured in Ukrainian drone attack in Belgorod
15:55 , Alex CroftTwo civilians were killed and one critically injured following a Ukrainian drone attack on a car in Russia's Belgorod region on Friday, local governor Vyacheslav Gladkov has said.
Ukraine recently staged a small incursion into the Belgorod region, a small distance south from the Kursk region.
The Independent cannot independently verify the report.
Watch: Trump insists he is 'putting pressure' on Putin behind scenes amid claims his Ukraine peace plan favors Russia
15:40 , Alex CroftMapped: Territory Ukraine could lose as details of US peace deal proposal revealed
15:23 , Alex CroftThe US has laid out its “final” proposals for peace in Ukraine, making clear the territory which it says Kyiv must cede to Moscow in order to achieve peace.
A Washington team has been engaging in intense shuttle diplomacy, looking to force through a deal between Ukraine and Russia as progress towards peace appeared to be slowing.
During talks in Paris and London over the past 10 days, US officials passed on the proposals to their European and Ukrainian counterparts - who responded with their own set of proposals, laying bare stark differences in their position.
The Independent has mapped the territory Ukraine stands to lose here:
Mapped: Territory Ukraine could lose as details of US peace deal proposal revealed
Trump describes Ukraine peace talks as 'very fragile'
15:04 , Alex CroftWhite House correspondent Andrew Feinberg reports from the South Lawn of the presidential home:
Speaking from the White House’s South Lawn shortly before boarding his helicopter, Donald Trump has described the Russia-Ukraine peace negotiations as “very fragile”.
"I think Russia and Ukraine, I think they're coming along. We hope, very fragile,” he said.
He said the US aims to save “5,000 young Ukrainian and Russian men” each week - which he adds would be a “big honour”.
“I think we're pretty close. No deadline. I just want to do it as fast as possible,” the US president continued.
“None of this stuff should have happened. This should have been taken place by Biden. It should have been fixed by Biden, but he couldn't nor did he come close to doing it."
Kyiv mayor Klitschko defends claims that Ukraine may have to cede land
14:45 , Alex CroftKyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko has said he “did not say anything new” after angering officials with his claims that Ukraine may have to cede land in a peace deal.
"It is very regrettable that, as we can see, this scenario is quite possible. A lot of world politicians and media are talking about it today," Mr Klitschko said on Telegram.
“In the interview, I stressed that the Ukrainian people will not accept Russian occupation of their country."
In an interview with the BBC, the mayor had earlier said: "One of the scenarios is… to give up territory. It's not fair. But for the peace, temporary peace, maybe it can be a solution, temporary.”
This drew criticism from Serhi Leshchenko, an adviser to Volodymyr Zelensky who said: “I think it’s counterproductive to make any comments on this topic, since we have no official proposal on the table regarding this.”
UN refugee agency reduces support for displaced Ukrainians due to US funding cut
14:31 , Alex CroftThe UN’s refugee agency has had to reduce support for displaced people in Ukraine due to the blaming the suspension of US aid and broader donor cuts, it said on Friday.
Across the world, humanitarian agencies are grappling with the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw foreign aid.
"Some of the programmes that we previously used to implement with the generous support of U.S. funding are on hold," Karolina Lindholm Billing, UNHCR Representative in Ukraine told reporters via a videolink.
They include psycho-social support, which is needed on a huge scale, emergency shelter material and cash assistance, the agency said.
The loss of U.S. aid, which last year, accounted for 40% of UNHCR funding has had the most impact, but other Western donors have also retreated as they prioritise defence spending.
As a result, the agency said its appeal for $3.32 billion (£2.52 billion) to support 8.2 million people in Ukraine was only 25 per cent funded.
In pictures: Putin welcomes Witkoff to Kremlin
14:09 , Jane Dalton
Ukraine adamant it will not cede territory to Russia
14:05 , Jane DaltonUkraine was adamant last week that it would never agree that Russia would own any of its territory and that it would remain a sovereign nation, officials say.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Heorhy Tykhy said that government representatives reconfirmed the following three points in talks with UK, US and EU representatives in London last week: "First, Ukraine will never recognise any of its parts as belonging to Russia.
“Second, Ukraine will never agree to any restrictions on its armed forces, defence capability defence industry or military assistance from its partners.
“And third, no third country has the right to veto Ukraine's choices of alliances and unions."
Donald Trump has told Time magazine that "Crimea will stay with Russia".
Blast was 'terror attack', Moscow says
13:56 , Jane DaltonRussian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova described Lt Gen Moskalik's killing as a terror attack.
It’s the second such attack on a top Russian military officer in four months.
In December, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov died when a bomb hidden on an electric scooter parked outside his apartment building exploded as he left for his office.
The Russian authorities blamed Ukraine for the killing of Lt Gen Kirillov, and Ukraine's security agency acknowledged that it was behind that attack.
Lt Gen Kirillov was the chief of Russia's Radiation, Biological and Chemical Protection Forces, the special troops tasked with protecting the military from the enemy's use of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and ensuring operations in a contaminated environment. His assistant also died in the attack.
In pictures: Scene of deadly blast
13:53 , Jane Dalton
Watch: Flames rage from car after Putin general dies in bombing
13:37 , Jane Dalton
Flames rage from car after top Putin general killed in Moscow bombing
Trump: 'Crimea will stay with Russia'
13:10 , Alex CroftAs US proposals lay out Washington’s vision for peace in Ukraine, comments have emerged from Donald Trump about the fate of the Crimean peninsula.
“Crimea will stay with Russia,” he told Time in an interview marking his first 100 days in power.
He also blamed Kyiv for starting the war, saying:“I think what caused the war to start was when they started talking about joining NATO.”
The US proposals for peace in Ukraine stipulate that Washington will legally recognise Crimea as under Russian control - a topic which last week provoked a war of words between Mr Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, who reiterated that it was Ukrainian territory.
Trump envoy meets Putin in Moscow
13:04 , Alex CroftDonald Trump’s envoy has met with Vladimir Putin on Friday, at what Trump has said is a key moment in diplomacy to end the war in Ukraine.
Mr Witkoff has emerged as Washington's key interlocutor with Mr Putin as the US president pushes for a deal to end the war, and has already held three long meetings with the Kremlin leader.
Video published by the Kremlin showed Mr Witkoff and Mr Putin shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries before sitting down on opposite sides of a white oval table.
Mr Putin was accompanied by his foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov and investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
Giving up territory a decision 'for Ukraine' insists No 10
12:46 , Alex CroftThe Independent’s Whitehall editor Kate Devlin writes:
No 10 has insisted that Keir Starmer believes it is “for Ukraine” to decide to give up territory in a bid to end the war with Russia.
The mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, has said Ukraine may have to give up land, amid growing pressure from President Donald Trump to accept territorial concessions.
Downing Street also said that all options remain "on the table" when it comes to potential peacekeeping support for Ukraine after any ceasefire.
Asked whether troops would only be deployed if the US offered a "backstop" to a peace deal, the PM’s spokesman said he would not give a running commentary on talks, but added: "As the Prime Minister has said in recent days, we're working closely with the US. We're all focused on ending the bloodshed and securing a lasting peace for Ukraine."
Watch: Putin aide Lavrov accuses Europe of 'reviving Nazi views' over Ukraine
12:41 , Alex CroftWho was the Russian general killed in a car bombing?
12:21 , Alex CroftYaroslav Moskalik was killed in a car bombing near eastern Moscow, Russian authorities have announced.
But who was the senior ranking military officer?
Mr Moskalik, who held the rank of major general, had participated in several high-level Russian delegations, according to defence ministry bulletins and media reports.
He joined the Russian contingent in a meeting in October 2015 of the Normandy Format, a group made up of teams from Germany, Russia, Ukraine and France who oversaw the Minsk agreements designed to end the war between Ukraine and Russian-backed separatist forces that broke out in 2014.
Moskalik represented the army's General Staff at the negotiations alongside Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov, according to the Kremlin website.
Russia's RBC newspaper listed Moskalik as a participant in the security subgroup in the Minsk talks.
More than 100 drones launched by Russia overnight, says air force
12:11 , Alex CroftUkrainian air defences shot down 41 out of 103 Shahed-type drones and other drones launched by Russia overnight, the air force said.
Forty drones disappeared from radars without causing damage, the statement said according to The Kyiv Independent.
Drones which disappear from radars are often decoys, which Russia launches alongside real drones to confuse and overwhelm Ukraine’s air defenses.
Senior Russian military officer killed in car bombing, say Moscow authorities
11:49 , Alex CroftA senior Russian military officer was killed in a car bombing near Moscow, Russia's Investigative Committee said.
It named the officer as Yaroslav Moskalik, deputy head of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, and said it had opened a criminal case into the incident.
"According to available data, the explosion occurred as a result of the detonation of a homemade explosive device filled with destructive elements," the Investigative Committee said in a statement.
The statement did not say who might be behind the incident. Several high-ranking Russian military figures have been assassinated since the start of the war in Ukraine in operations blamed by Moscow on Kyiv.
Sam Kiley | Why Crimea matters so much to Putin – and now Trump
11:44 , Alex CroftThe Independent’s world affairs editor Sam Kiley writes:
Crimea is footnoted in British history for the Earl of Cardigan and his disastrous leading of the Charge of the Light Brigade. To Vladimir Putin it’s where history itself must turn.
Donald Trump, taking an 18th-century might-is-right approach, has said that the peninsula was captured without a fight by Russia from Ukraine in 2014 and therefore should stay in Putin’s fist.
Of all the 20 per cent of Ukraine’s territory taken after Russia invaded Crimea 11 years ago and launched its wider Anschluss in 2022, Crimea is the greatest Russian prize.
Whoever controls Sevastopol is likely to dominate the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. Outside of Tartus, in Syria, which Russia lost recently, it is – or was – Russia’s only warm-weather port.
Pictured: Flowers and toys laid at site where children killed by Russian strike in Kyiv
11:27 , Alex Croft
In full: European and Ukrainian counterproposals to end war
11:00 , Alex CroftHere are the counterproposals made by Ukraine and its European allies, after Washington put forward it’s initial proposals.
- Commit to a full and unconditional ceasefire in the sky, on land and at sea.
- Both sides immediately enter into negotiations on technical implementation with the participation of the US and European countries. This is in parallel to preparation of the agenda and modalities for a full peace deal.
- Ceasefire monitoring, led by the US and supported by third countries.
- Russia must unconditionally return all deported and illegally displaced Ukrainian children. Exchange of all prisoners of war (the principle of "all for all"). Russia must release all civilian prisoners.
Security guarantees for Ukraine:
- Ukraine receives robust security guarantees including from the US (Article 5-like agreement), while there is no consensus among Allies on NATO membership.
- No restrictions on the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
- The guarantor states will be an ad hoc group of European countries and willing non-European countries. No restrictions on the presence, weapons and operations of friendly foreign forces on the territory of Ukraine.
- Ukraine pursues accession to the EU.
Territory:
- Territorial issues will be discussed and resolved after a full and unconditional ceasefire.
- Territorial negotiations start from the basis of the line of control.
- Ukraine regains control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant with US involvement, and also the Kakhovka Dam.
- Ukraine enjoys unhindered passages on the Dnieper River and control of the Kinburn Spit.
Economics:
- US and Ukraine implement economic cooperation/minerals agreement.
- Ukraine will be fully reconstructed and compensated financially, including through Russian sovereign assets that will remain frozen until Russia compensates damage to Ukraine.
- US sanctions imposed on Russia since 2014 may be subject to gradual easing after a sustainable peace is achieved and subject to resumption in the event of a breach of the peace agreement.
In full: US proposals to end war in Ukraine revealed
10:54 , Alex CroftHere are the US proposals to end the war in full, as revealed by Reuters news agency:
- Permanent ceasefire
- Both sides immediately engage in technical implementation negotiations Ukraine security guarantee
- Ukraine receives robust security guarantee
- Guarantor states will be an ad hoc grouping of European states plus willing non-European states
- Ukraine will not seek to join NATO
- Ukraine may pursue EU membership Territory
- US provides de jure recognition of Russian control of Crimea
- US provides de facto recognition of Russian control of Luhansk
- US provides de facto recognition of Russian-controlled parts of Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Kherson
- Ukraine regains territory in Kharkiv Oblast
- Ukraine regains control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant through US control and administration of the plant, with electricity distributed to both sides, and also the Kakhovka Dam
- Ukraine enjoys unhindered passage on Dnieper River and control of the Kinburn Spit Economics
- United States and Ukraine will implement economic cooperation/minerals agreement
Full text of European and US proposals to end war display clear differences
10:51 , Alex CroftThe divergence between European and US proposals to end the war in Ukraine has been revealed, after the full texts of both proposals have been revealed by Reuters.
The proposals were put forward in talks between US, European and Ukrainian officials in Paris on 17 April and in London on 23 April.
Territory, sanctions on Russia, security guarantees and the size of Ukraine’s military mark the main points of contention between the two documents.
The two documents were exchanged as a “broad framework” to identify the differences between the sides.
Emergency worker hurt due to Pavlohrad attack, say emergency services
10:31 , Alex CroftAn emergency worker was injured as a result of Russia’s repeat attack on Pavlohrad, Ukraine’s emergency services said.
The industrial city of Pavlohrad had a pre-war population of about 100,000 people. It is an important railway hub for the Dnipropetrovsk region, connecting it to the east of the country.
As a result of the attack, which killed three people, city infrastructure has also been damaged, and a social institution was partially destroyed. Several cars also burned down.
Five people killed in renewed Russian attacks, say officials
10:14 , Alex CroftA child was among five people killed in renewed Russian attacks on Ukraine, officials said on Friday.
Three of the victims were killed in the city of Pavlohrad after a drone strike, said Serhiy Lysak, governor of the central Dnipropetrovsk region.
"The aggressor again conducted a mass attack on the region with drones," Lysak wrote on Telegram, adding that 11 drones were destroyed over the region.
He said that 14 people were wounded in the attack on a five-storey building, including a six-year-old boy and teenagers, aged 15 and 17. Five of the wounded remained in hospital, he added, without specifying at what time the attack took place.
"Unfortunately, there are already three dead in Pavlohrad. Among them is a child," he said in a later update.
Ukraine hopes to prevent international recognition of Crimea as Russian territory - draft document
10:13 , Alex CroftUkraine hopes to prevent formal international recognition of Russia’s sovereignty over Crimea and other occupied territories as part of a peace deal, a draft document reveals.
Seen by The Telegraph, the five-point document stresses in its first two points that a peace agreement must be based on international law rather than capitulation, and specifically warns of the potential that China could invade Taiwan if Moscow and its allies are emboldened.
Firm security guarantees are a necessary condition for any future peace agreement, it says.
The third point aims to shift control over negotiations away from Donald Trump and back towards Kyiv, the outlet says.
The fourth point warns Nato and Washington that allowing Russia to hold on to Crimea would allow it to threaten not just Ukraine but other Black Sea allies including Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria.
The fifth point states that no agreement must be made which restricts the size of Ukraine’s military.
In pictures: Three killed in Russia attack on Pavlohrad
09:59 , Alex Croft
Two killed in Russian air bombing in Donetsk region
09:44 , Alex CroftTwo people were killed after Russia dropped an air bomb on a residential building in a village in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, the local prosecutor’s office said.
The attack on Friday morning on the village of Yarova also caused damage to several buildings.
"At 05:10, enemy forces conducted two airstrikes on the village of Yarova in the Lyman hromada. As a result of a direct strike on a residential building at their place of residence, a 61-year-old man and his 88-year-old father sustained fatal injuries,” the prosecutor said according to Ukrainska Pravda.
It appears that the Russians used an FAB-250 air bomb t attack the settlement.
Editorial | If the EU coalition is truly willing, Ukraine has a chance of defying the odds
09:24 , Alex CroftThe Independent shares its view on how Ukraine can achieve a lasting peace:
The success of the “coalition of the willing” depends on how willing the coalition proves to be. If Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron, ad hoc leaders of this ad hoc alliance, manage to inspire their allies half as much as Mr Zelensky has, then Ukraine still has a chance of defying the odds.
It might not win Crimea back in the near future, but it would mean that President Putin would be forced to negotiate a more satisfactory and sustainable peace, after which Ukraine can build its defences and deepen its newly strengthened partnerships, at least until the Trump-Putin era passes.
Read our full editorial here:
If the EU coalition is truly willing, Ukraine has a chance of defying the odds
'Counterproductive': Zelensky adviser hits back at Kyiv mayor's comments
08:58 , Alex CroftSerhi Leshchenko, an adviser to Volodymyr Zelensky, has hit back at Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko’s claim that Ukraine may need to concede land to reach peace.
“I think it’s counterproductive to make any comments on this topic, since we have no official proposal on the table regarding this,” he told BBC World Service’s Newsday programme.
“Any discussion of this violates the Ukrainian constitution because Ukraine’s constitution states the territorial integrity of Ukraine,” he said, adding that it is “very important” that Ukrainian politicians abide by the constitution.
The Ukrainian position has been clear and declared by president Volodymyr Zelensky, when a Ukrainian delegation proposed a ceasefire in the air and sea, Mr Leschenko added.
Kyiv also agreed to a full ceasefire on the land during the Saudi Arabia talks last month, he said.
Breaking: Trump envoy lands in Moscow for Putin talks
08:53 , Alex CroftDonald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff has landed in Moscow for talks with Vladimir Putin, according to the Interfax news agency.
It would be the second time Mr Witkoff has met with the Russian autocrat, as the Trump administration claims it is keeping up pressure on the Kremlin to stop its heavy bombardment of Ukraine.
Mr Trump has expressed hope that a peace deal will be made in the following days, telling reporters on Thursday: "This next few days is going to be very important. Meetings are taking place right now. I think we're going to make a deal ... I think we're getting very close."
Boris Johnson issues first stark rebuke of Trump peace plan
08:41 , Alex CroftBoris Johnson has weighed in on Donald Trump’s peace proposals, issuing his first stark criticism of the US president as he said that Kyiv would “get nothing” under his plans.
Russia would retain the right to keep Ukrainian territory, the right to “control Ukraine’s destiny”, the lifting of sanctions, an economic partnership with the US, and the opportunity to rebuild its armed forces “for the next attack in a few short years’ time”, Mr Johnson said.
“As for Ukraine - what do they get after three years of heroic resistance against a brutal and unprovoked invasion?” he asked, adding that they would “get nothing”.
The former prime minister said there is “nothing” in Donald Trump’s offer which can “realistically stop a third Russian invasion”.
Putin indiscriminately butchers more Ukrainian civilians, killing and injuring 100 in Kyiv including children. And what is his reward under the latest peace proposals?
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) April 24, 2025
1. The right to keep sovereign Ukrainian territory he has taken by violence and in breach of international…
Klitschko: Putin is sitting in the corner, unable to explain mistakes
08:32 , Alex CroftKyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko has said Vladimir Putin is sitting “in the corner” and is unable to explain his mistakes to the Russian people.
“We have the same religion, almost the same language, almost the same history, but the idea [to invade], sick idea destroyed the relationship between the two countries and brings instability in the whole of Europe, in stability in the world.
“Right now, Putin sits in the corner. He can’t explain to people [about the] mistakes. He had a dream to occupy Ukraine in a couple of days, and they expect the Ukrainian people to be very happy to see the Russian soldier, a sick illusion.”
Analysis| If Trump’s hatred of Zelensky feels personal, that’s because it is
08:12 , Alex CroftWorld affairs editor Sam Kiley writes:
On Wednesday, America’s ‘big man’ once again lashed out at the diminutive Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. Warning that Zelensky would “lose his country” if he refused to accept a peace deal, Trump accused him of prolonging the “killing field” after Zelensky declined to cede Crimea to Vladimir Putin as part of a potential settlement.
Claiming the territory had been lost for good in 2014 and was not up for discussion, Trump reserved his harshest criticism not for the aggressor who invaded a neighbouring sovereign state, but for the leader defending it. And if it all feels personal, that’s because it is.
The narcissism of America’s 47th president has long been one of Vladimir Putin’s greatest assets. As a former head of the Federal Security Service – successor to the KGB and expert in personality profiling and manipulation – Putin understands that the fragile ego behind the resolute desk is a potent weapon for the Kremlin.
