Hundreds of protesters rally in Kyiv to oppose the measure, in a show of antigovernment anger rarely seen since Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has signed a bill that would revoke the autonomy of key anticorruption agencies, a plan that has triggered rare street demonstrations in the capital, Kyiv.

Critics say the legislation consolidates power in Zelenskyy’s hands and will allow government meddling in high-profile corruption cases.

The European Union on Tuesday called the decision a “serious step back”, while hundreds gathered in central Kyiv to oppose the measure – a show of antigovernment anger rarely seen since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Some demonstrators shouted, “Veto the law!”

“The bill is being rushed through,” 26-year-old game designer Anastasia told the AFP news agency.

“It is clear that this is a targeted effort,” she added.

The bill will grant the prosecutor general new authority over investigations and cases handled by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).

NABU investigates instances of corruption among state institutions, while the SAPO prosecutes corruption.

The passage of the bill through parliament drew sharp criticism from the heads of both agencies, and the citizen protests were the largest since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

Many influential Ukrainians also lashed out on social media after Tuesday’s vote, saying it was a betrayal of Ukraine’s decade-long geopolitical ambition.

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Fighting corruption is crucial for Ukraine’s bid to join the EU and maintain access to billions of dollars in Western aid. It is also seen as critical to erasing a legacy of Russian rule, a sentiment echoed at the protest in Kyiv.

Vladyslava Kirstyuk, 18, said that memories of her childhood in occupied eastern Ukraine, after Russia’s covert invasion in 2014, left a strong impression on her.

“I know what it means for one person to have all the power, when nothing is transparent and everything is working against you,” the teenager told the Reuters news agency.

“I don’t want it to be the same for us here.”

On Monday, Ukraine’s domestic security agency detained two NABU officials on suspicion of links to Russia and searched other agency employees on unrelated allegations.

NABU has uncovered widespread corruption, including among figures in Zelenskyy’s administration.

Last week, the president carried out a reshuffle of his wartime cabinet, a move widely viewed as further consolidating power within his inner circle.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has not commented in his night address on the signing of the law stripping the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) of their independence, nor on the related protests which have taken place.

Source: Zelenskyy’s night address

Quote from Zelenskyy: “I spoke with NABU Director Semen Kryvonos, SAPO Prosecutor Oleksandr Klymenko, Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko, and Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk. We discussed various challenges, all of them.

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The anti-corruption infrastructure will work, only without Russian influence – it needs to be cleared of that. And there should be more justice.

Of course, NABU and SAPO will work. And it is important that the prosecutor general is determined to ensure that in Ukraine the inevitability of punishment for those who go against the law is actually ensured. This is what Ukraine really needs. The cases that have been lying dormant must be investigated.”

Details: Zelenskyy also mentioned the need to ensure “the inevitability of punishment” in Ukraine, so that “society really sees it”.

Quote: “So that there are no fakes or information manipulations.”

Details: For a long time, there was no reaction on the Office of the President’s website or Zelenskyy’s social media accounts to the controversial bill approved by the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament). Meanwhile, the heads of NABU and SAPO had called on the president not to sign the document.

Hundreds of people in major Ukrainian cities have held protests demanding the president veto the draft law. Protests took place in Kyiv near the Office of the President and in Lviv, Odesa and Dnipro.

No one from the president’s team commented on draft law No. 12414 to Ukrainian journalists. For over 10 hours after the vote in the Verkhovna Rada, Zelenskyy’s office made no public comments regarding the law that restricts the independence of the anti-corruption bodies.

Law enforcement officials warned that they would act in accordance with the law concerning the activists who gathered in central Kyiv after the curfew started.

Zelenskyy’s last post before commenting on the work of NABU, SAPO and the Prosecutor General’s Office was published at 18:31 on 22 July and was related to the presenting of certificates for housing to the families of fallen Heroes of Ukraine.

Background:

On 22 July, information appeared on the website of the Verkhovna Rada that Zelenskyy had signed bill No. 12414, which effectively places NABU and SAPO under the authority of the prosecutor general.

On the evening of 22 July, protests were held in several Ukrainian cities following the adoption of the draft law, which effectively undermines the independence of the anti-corruption bodies.

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There was a town hall tonight in Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District but no lawmaker to field questions.

Rep. Bryan Steil, a Republican, was not expected to attend the event, whose organizers included a former Democratic candidate for the State Assembly. Still, many showed up at the Franklin Public Library to speak out.

“I wanted to share my anger over Rep. Steil,” said Jane Willard, of Rochester. “He’s working for me and for the rest of the Wisconsin citizens in District 1, and I keep reminding him that if he doesn’t do his job, he’s going to lose his job.”

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From 15 Apr 2025 14.59 BST Peace talks on Ukraine ‘not easy,’ but Nato stands with Ukraine amid ‘outrageous’ Russian attacks, Rutte tells Zelenskyy in Odesa Speaking in Odesa, Rutte strongly condemned the Russian attack on Sumy as “simply outrageous” and “part of a terrible pattern of Russia attacking civilian targets and infrastructure,” as he assured Zelenskyy of Nato’s continued support. Nato secretary general Mark Rutte and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shake hands during a joint press conference, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine. Photograph: Nina Liashonok/Reuters In a statement, published in the last few minutes by Nato, he said that “Ukraine’s people deserve real peace – real safety and security in their country. In their homes,” and said he wanted to use his visit to “affirm … this simple message: Nato stands with Ukraine.” “I also know that some have called Nato’s support into question in the last couple of months. But let there be no doubt. Our support is unwavering,” he said. He said in his remarks that he spoke with Zelenskyy about “the important talks that president Trump is leading with Ukraine as well as with Russia to try to end the war and secure a durable peace.” He acknowledged that “these discussions are not easy – not least in the wake of this horrific violence – but we all support president Trump’s push for peace.” “So let me say again – to the people of Ukraine: We stand with you. And look forward to a day that the brave men and women of this incredible country can enjoy freedom without fear,” he said. Share

15 Apr 2025 17.53 BST Closing summary Jakub Krupa … and on that note, it’s a wrap from me, Jakub Krupa, for today. Nato secretary general Mark Rutte made a surprise visit to Odesa in Ukraine to meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy and reaffirm the alliance’s support for Ukraine after recent “outrageous” attacks by Russia (15:52, 15:59, 16:06), amid growing concerns about the US administration’s unwillingness to criticise Russia for recent attacks in Sumy with reports it refused to sign a G7 statement on the strike (9:23 and 15:48).

The European Union warned that “significant joint efforts will be needed” for a successful outcome to trade talks at the end of Donald Trump’s 90-day pause on tariffs (12:35), with European Commission spokesperson admitting that the bloc would need “an additional level of engagement from the US to keep the ball rolling forward” (12:46).

France’s national terrorism office launched an investigation into a wave of apparently coordinated attacks at multiple prisons across the country believed to be linked to a government clampdown on drug traffickers (11:07, 11:12, 13:22 and story).

A group of Serbian students were on the final approach to Strasbourg finishing their epic 1,300km cycling trip to draw the European Union’s attention to mass protests in the country against alleged corruption among political leaders (10:51, 10:56, 18:33). And that’s all from me, Jakub Krupa, for today. If you have any tips, comments or suggestions, email me at jakub.krupa@theguardian.com. I am also on Bluesky at @jakubkrupa.bsky.social and on X at @jakubkrupa. Share

15 Apr 2025 17.33 BST I was hoping to bring you one final update on the Serbian students cycling to Strasbourg before we close the blog today but they appear to be slightly delayed and still some 25 kilometers out from their finish line, according to their live tracker. Their ETA has been updated to 7.30pm local time. The good news is that there appears to be a big welcome party waiting for them when they reach Strasbourg… View image in fullscreen A girl sticks a red carpet before Serbian university students riding bicycles from Novi Sad, Serbia, and who say their fight for justice and the rule of law arrive the heart of the European Union to seek support, in Strasbourg, eastern France. Photograph: Antonin Utz/AP View image in fullscreen Protesters hold signs before Serbian university students riding bicycles from Novi Sad, Serbia, and who say are fighting for justice and the rule of law, arrive the heart of the European Union to seek support, in Strasbourg, eastern France. Photograph: Antonin Utz/AP View image in fullscreen Protesters hold signs before Serbian university students riding bicycles from Novi Sad, Serbia, and who say are fighting for justice and the rule of law, arrive the heart of the European Union to seek support, in Strasbourg, eastern France. Photograph: Antonin Utz/AP Share Updated at 17.36 BST

15 Apr 2025 16.51 BST We now have a bit more detail on Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s comments about that meeting on Black Sea security in Turkey involving Ukraine, the UK, France and Turkey (16:26). View image in fullscreen Nato secretary general Mark Rutte and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attend a meeting, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine. Photograph: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Reuters Reuters reported that Zelenskyy, speaking alongside Nato secretary general Mark Rutte, said “this is a military meeting on security in the Black Sea, first of all, a coalition of the willing, appropriate steps.” Reuters noted it was not immediately clear whether meetings were already ongoing. “There are already quite a few such meetings, in various formats,” Zelenskyy added. “Turkey has in 2022 already successfully agreed a ceasefire when it came to a greater grain deal … let’s be positive on the fact that Turkey, again, tries to bring together all relevant parties, And let’s hope they are successful,” Rutte said. “We are talking about the presence of a contingent at sea, and we believe that Turkey can have a serious place in future security guarantees for the sea,” Zelenskyy said. “This is not about ending the war, this is about what will happen after the ceasefire – security guarantees.” Share

15 Apr 2025 15.26 BST Ukraine, UK, France, Turkey meeting to discuss Black Sea security, Zelenskyy says We are also getting more lines from Zelenskyy, as he revealed that representatives of Ukraine, the UK, France and Turkey are meeting in Turkey today to discuss Black Sea security. Share Updated at 16.04 BST

15 Apr 2025 15.12 BST Ukraine’s military says it hit Russian brigade responsible for Sumy attack on Sunday And in the last few minutes, Ukraine’s military said that it had hit a base belonging to the Russian rocket brigade that conducted the missile attack on Sumy on Sunday. “(A base) of the 448th missile brigade of the Russian occupiers was hit, a secondary detonation of ammunition was recorded. The results of the strike are being clarified,” the military said in a statement on Telegram, Reuters reported. Share

15 Apr 2025 15.06 BST Zelenskyy, Rutte visited recovering soldiers, spoke of Ukraine’s ‘acute’ needs for air defence Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a social media post that the pair “visited a hospital where Ukrainian defenders are recovering from their wounds,” and spoke with some of the soldiers. “I am grateful to our guys for their strength, resilience, and for protecting our people,” he said. Separately, the Ukrainian president spoke with Nato’s Rutte about the country’s “acute” neeed for air defence systems and missiles, AFP reported. Zelenskyy also spoke about the importance of the UK-French-led “reassurance force” being ready “fast enough” to help Ukraine, the agency said. View image in fullscreen Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy answers media questions during his joint press conference with Nato secretary general Mark Rutte in Odesa, Ukraine. Photograph: Michael Shtekel/AP Share

15 Apr 2025 14.59 BST Peace talks on Ukraine ‘not easy,’ but Nato stands with Ukraine amid ‘outrageous’ Russian attacks, Rutte tells Zelenskyy in Odesa Speaking in Odesa, Rutte strongly condemned the Russian attack on Sumy as “simply outrageous” and “part of a terrible pattern of Russia attacking civilian targets and infrastructure,” as he assured Zelenskyy of Nato’s continued support. View image in fullscreen Nato secretary general Mark Rutte and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shake hands during a joint press conference, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine. Photograph: Nina Liashonok/Reuters In a statement, published in the last few minutes by Nato, he said that “Ukraine’s people deserve real peace – real safety and security in their country. In their homes,” and said he wanted to use his visit to “affirm … this simple message: Nato stands with Ukraine.” “I also know that some have called Nato’s support into question in the last couple of months. But let there be no doubt. Our support is unwavering,” he said. He said in his remarks that he spoke with Zelenskyy about “the important talks that president Trump is leading with Ukraine as well as with Russia to try to end the war and secure a durable peace.” He acknowledged that “these discussions are not easy – not least in the wake of this horrific violence – but we all support president Trump’s push for peace.” “So let me say again – to the people of Ukraine: We stand with you. And look forward to a day that the brave men and women of this incredible country can enjoy freedom without fear,” he said. Share

15 Apr 2025 14.52 BST ‘Nato support is unwavering,’ Rutte tells Zelenskyy on Odesa trip And in the last few minutes, Nato secretary general Mark Rutte revealed he made an unannounced trip to Odesa in Ukraine to meet with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In a post on social media, he said he reassured Zelenskyy that Nato’s support remained “unwavering” and the alliance would “continue to help Ukraine so it can defend today and deter future aggression.” Here is his post in full: Today I visited Odesa along with @ZelenskyyUa. Ukraine’s people have endured so much – not least Russia’s Palm Sunday attack on Sumy. Nato support is unwavering. We will continue to help Ukraine so it can defend today and deter future aggression, ensuring a just and lasting peace. I will bring you more lines from Rutte soon. Share Updated at 14.56 BST

15 Apr 2025 14.48 BST US declined to sign G7 statement condemning Russia’s attack on Sumy – report In the latest example of US president Donald Trump’s rather lenient response to Russian actions, Bloomberg (£) is now reporting that the US declined to endorse a G7 statement condemning Russia’s attack on Sumy over the weekend as it feared it could derail peace negotiations on Ukraine. The attack on Palm Sunday killed at least 34 and injured over 110 people. Russian missile strike kills dozens in Ukrainian city of Sumy Read more But diplomatic sources told Bloomberg that the US administration “told allies it couldn’t sign the statement denouncing the attack as it is working to preserve the space to negotiate peace.” In his only public comments on the attack, Trump said he had been told that the Russians had “made a mistake” in the strike on Sumy. View image in fullscreen Ukrainian emergency workers search through the rubble at the site of a missile attack in Sumy, northeastern Ukraine amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Photograph: Roman Pilipey/AFP/Getty Images Share

15 Apr 2025 14.30 BST Trump’s ‘chosen one’ Meloni heads to Washington to play delicate balancing act – analysis Angela Giuffrida Giorgia Meloni’s influence over Donald Trump is to be put to the test when the pair reunite in Washington on Thursday for their first bilateral summit. She is the first European leader to meet Trump since he paused some of his planned tariff hikes last week. View image in fullscreen US president-elect Donald Trump meets with Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. Photograph: Italian Government/Reuters The summit will be closely watched. On one hand, it is an ideal opportunity for Meloni to demonstrate an affinity with Trump, with whom her natural political tendencies lie, while boosting her credentials as a conduittowards more meaningful dialogue. On the other, it will be a delicate balancing act for the prime minister, who also knows she must be careful to maintain her allegiance to Italy’s EU partners. Behind the scenes, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and Meloni are understood to have discussed a gameplan. Still, the solo trip has caused anxiety among EU allies, with the French industry minister, Marc Ferracci, warning last week that it threatened to undermine European unity against the US tariffs. Their concerns are not without reason. Meloni, a former Eurosceptic, defended a blistering attack against European values by Trump’s deputy, JD Vance, at the Munich Security Conference in February. She will be back in Rome on Friday to meet Vance, who is in Italy for the Easter weekend. Read the analysis in full: Trump’s ‘chosen one’ Giorgia Meloni heads to Washington to play delicate balancing act Read more Share

15 Apr 2025 14.27 BST Earlier today, I brought you the latest on the fragile state of the EU-US trade talks in Washington. On Thursday, Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni will try a different tactic as she goes to Washington for talks with US president Donald Trump, who has (so far) been more receptive to interventions from individual national leaders rather than the EU as a whole. So let’s go to our Rome correspondent Angela Giuffrida for her analysis… View image in fullscreen US president-elect Donald Trump meets with Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida in January. Photograph: Italian Government/Reuters Share Updated at 14.30 BST

15 Apr 2025 13.43 BST Macron to honour craftspeople who rebuilt Notre Dame Elsewhere, French president Emmanuel Macron will bestow awards on around 100 craftspeople and officials who helped restore Notre Dame to its former glory after a fire nearly destroyed the beloved Paris cathedral six years ago, AFP reported. View image in fullscreen French president Emmanuel Macron during the visit of the Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, in Paris, France on 2 April 2025. Photograph: Accorsini Jeanne/ABACA/REX/Shutterstock The ceremony at the Élysée Palace will take place from early Tuesday evening, around the same time the devastating fire broke out at the Gothic masterpiece in 2019. View image in fullscreen French firefighters spray water to extinguish a fire as flames are burning the roof of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, 15 April 2019. Photograph: Julien de Rosa/EPA AFP noted that Macron will honour Philippe Jost, who headed the public organisation tasked with restoring the cathedral and was elevated to the rank of “commander” of the Legion of Honour, France’s highest national award. Jost succeeded Jean-Louis Georgelin, the general who had been put in charge of overseeing the restoration but who died in 2023. Georgelin was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the highest rank of the award established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802. The architects Remi Fromont and Philippe Villeneuve will also be decorated. Alongside them, nearly 100 civil servants, entrepreneurs and craftspeople will be awarded the Legion of Honour or the National Order of Merit, another top award established by Charles de Gaulle. They represent around 2,000 people who took part in the restoration of the cathedral. They come from “all the trades” and include carpenters, ironworkers, scaffolders, rope access workers, organ restorers and stained glass artisans, the French presidency said. Share

15 Apr 2025 13.09 BST The Serbian students cycling towards Strasbourg that we reported on earlier today (10:51 and 10:56) are now back on the move on the final stage of their journey. You can follow their finish live here – they are currently passing through a small town of Durmersheim in Germany, near the French border. View image in fullscreen Serbian student cyclists prepare to depart from the city of Melk, during their bike ride to Strasbourg, France, which aims to raise awareness within European Union institutions about Serbian protests against the government. Photograph: Igor Pavicevic/Reuters Share

15 Apr 2025 13.03 BST EU could end penalties for companies that break Russian gas contracts Jennifer Rankin The European Commission is considering plans that would allow European companies to break long-term Russian gas contracts without paying penalties to Moscow, it has been reported. View image in fullscreen An employee checks control wheel on pipelines at the Central oil tank farm operated by Mero CR near Nelahozeves, Czech Republic, 15 August 2022. Mero CR owns and operates the Czech part of the Druzhba pipeline and the IKL pipeline. Photograph: Martin Divíšek/EPA Citing three officials with knowledge of the plan, the Financial Times reported (£) that the commission was studying the possibility of allowing companies to declare force majeure, which would absolve importers of their obligations to pay penalty fees for ending contracts. The plans are reported to be part of a roadmap on how the EU will rid itself of Russian fossil fuels by 2027, a document scheduled to be published on 6 May, following repeated delays. A commission spokesperson declined to comment. Full story: EU could end penalties for companies that break Russian gas contracts Read more Share

15 Apr 2025 12.22 BST France’s anti-terrorism prosecutor’s offices takes charge of investigation into prison attacks View image in fullscreen A prison administration officer walks through the corridors of the prison centre of Vendin-le-Vieil, northern France. Photograph: François Nascimbeni/AFP/Getty Images Back to France, the country’s national anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office said it had taken charge of the investigation into attacks on several French prisons overnight that we reported earlier (11:07). Reuters said that France’s DGSI national security agency will also be involved into the investigation into the attacks, the prosecutor said. Share Updated at 12.23 BST

15 Apr 2025 12.17 BST More than 1,000 sign academics’ petition against Hungarian constitutional changes targeting LGBTQ+ community Ashifa Kassam … and more than 1,200 people have signed a petition, launched by academics at Budapest’s Eötvös Loránd university, protesting against the Hungarian government’s ban on public events by the LGBTQ+ community. View image in fullscreen Protesters attempt to march to the office of the Hungarian President but are stopped at Chain Bridge by riot police in Budapest, Hungary. Photograph: Balint Szentgallay/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock On Monday, Hungary’s rightwing populist government, led by Viktor Orbán, voted through a constitutional amendment backing the ban, in what rights campaigners described as a “significant escalation” in the government’s efforts to chip away at human rights. The university remains committed to inclusion, the petition noted. “As university lecturers and researchers, we protest against this curtailment of basic rights,” it said. It also sought to highlight the worrying precedent set by the ban. “The government’s spurious claim, all too familiar from history, to protect our children sets the stage for the curtailment of the freedom of assembly of arbitrarily designated groups – in the first instance LGBTQI communities – as well as their surveillance and punishment.” Staff at the internationally renowned university had decided to speak out as “many of our students and staff rightly feel threatened by discriminatory, arbitrary legislation and stigmatisation,” the petition noted. The signatories said they would work to ensure that students or employees belonging to the LGBTQ+ community would feel free to speak up when it comes to matters concerning themselves or the wider university community. “It is especially important to take this responsibility at a time when our institutions and communities are under increasing government pressure and similar attacks are taking place in other countries,” the petition said. Rights campaigners have called on the European Commission to launch a procedure against the Hungarian government, arguing that the legal changes – believed to be the first of their kind in the EU’s modern history – are a breach of EU law. (Asked about the next steps at the commission’s briefing, Hrncirova said she could not offer any timeline on this process. – Jakub) 1:10 Thousands take to the streets in Hungary as the country bans LGBTQ+ gatherings – video Share Updated at 13.03 BST

15 Apr 2025 12.12 BST European Commission ‘analysing’ Hungarian constitution amendments Separately, European Commission spokesperson on equality Eva Hrncirova was asked about the executive’s view on the Hungarian constitutional amendment passed yesterday that campaigners described as a “significant escalation” in the government’s efforts to crack down on dissent and chip away at human rights. Hungary passes constitutional amendment to ban LGBTQ+ gatherings Read more She said the EU was “obviously aware” of the amendment, but needed time to “analyse the changes, because [they] cover several topics and we need to look at them very carefully to be able to see them from the perspective of the European law.” Yesterday’s vote prompted further protests in Budapest against the decision, so let me bring you some pictures from that protest, and… View image in fullscreen Protesters attempt to march to the office of the Hungarian President but are stopped at Chain Bridge by riot police in Budapest, Hungary. Photograph: Balint Szentgallay/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock View image in fullscreen Protesters attempt to march to the office of the Hungarian President but are stopped at Chain Bridge by riot police in Budapest, Hungary. Photograph: Balint Szentgallay/NurPhoto/REX/Shutterstock Share Updated at 12.12 BST

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Putin to send top negotiator to Washington as US anger grows over peace deal talks

Vladimir Putin is set to send his top negotiator to Washington in a bid to win back the favour of Donald Trump, who is reportedly angry at the Russian autocrat.

Washington officials have acknowledged that Putin is resisting attempts to strike a ceasefire, and discussed what economic or diplomatic punishments could push Russia closer to a deal, the sources said.

It comes following Mr Trump’s explosive reveal that he was “p***** off” with Putin and would look to unleash oil tariffs on Russia if they did not take peace talks seriously.

Kirill Dmitriev, Putin’s Kyiv-born and US-educated envoy, will meet with Mr Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff this week, Reuters reported.

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Responding to the reports on X, Mr Dmitriev said: “The resistance to US–Russia dialogue is real—driven by entrenched interests and old narratives. But what if improved relations are exactly what the world needs for lasting global security and peace?”

On Tuesday, two senior Washington sources told Reuters that a peace deal does not seem imminent, despite US efforts.

Meanwhile, half of the US Senate – including 25 Republicans and 25 Democrats – has united to propose sanctions on Russia if it refuses to engage in good faith negotiations with Ukraine.

Key Points

Russia violating ceasefire – Ukraine hands dossier of evidence to US

In pictures: Aftermath of Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih that killed 4

Putin envoy to visit Washington for Witkoff meeting

Who is Putin’s negotiator and what will he discuss?

Russia violating ceasefire – Ukraine hands dossier of evidence to US

23:31 , Barney Davis

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Deputy Head of the Ukrainian President’s Office, Ihor Brusylo, spoke on national television to say they have handed evidence to the US about Russia violating a

“The energy ceasefire… which Ukraine and the United States agreed upon, was violated by the Russian side. All the necessary information was transferred to the American side. I think the reaction will not be long in coming, because even American partners who were diplomatically disposed towards the possibility of ensuring such a ceasefire are running out of patience,” he said.

According to the official, all evidence confirms that Russia is not interested in a ceasefire or in bringing the war to an end.

“I hope international partners will not delay anything, and more resolute measures will still be taken against the aggressor state, which pursues its insidious policy despite the agreements reached during the negotiations,” Brusylo stressed.

Zelensky says Ukraine’s Nato membership never included in minerals deal

23:01 , Alex Croft

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Volodymyr Zelensky has said that a minerals deal that Ukraine and the US are negotiating doesn’t mention his country’s Nato membership in the future.

“As for this agreement and the Nato question, there is no mention of Nato in this agreement, and there never was,” Mr Zelensky said, confirming earlier reports.

“A decision (regarding the deal) will be made in the coming days.”

His remarks come a few days after a source in the presidential office told the Kyiv Independent that Ukraine is “not tying” the minerals deal to Nato.

In pictures: Aftermath of Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih that killed 4

22:26 , Barney Davis

(via REUTERS)

(via REUTERS)

(EPA)

Trump now objects to European push to buy weapons locally

22:00 , Alex Croft

Officials from the Trump administration are now urging their European allies to keep buying American-made arms – just weeks after Donald Trump asked the EU to take responsibility for its own defence and security.

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Five US sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that the US has made outreach to its EU allies amid recent moves by the European Union to limit US manufacturers’ participation in weapons tenders.

According to two of the sources, US secretary of state Marco Rubio said any exclusion of US companies from European tenders would be seen negatively by Washington, which those two sources interpreted as a reference to the proposed EU rules.

One northern European diplomat, who was not part of the Baltic meeting, said they had also been recently told by US officials that any exclusion from EU weapons procurements would be seen as inappropriate.

Shortly after taking office, Mr Trump urged European allies to spend more on defence and take greater responsibility for their own security, and suggesting that his commitment to Nato is not absolute.

President Donald Trump is reportedly “p***** off” with Putin (AP)

Watch: Trump ‘p***** off’ at Putin over disparaging Zelensky comments

21:01 , Alex Croft

Two arrested in Russian plot to blow up Lviv police station

20:29 , Alex Croft

Two people have been arrested after allegedly plotting to blow up a police station in the western city of Lviv on Russian instructions, Ukrainian authorities said.

The suspects were carrying out the “instructions of a Russian representative in exchange for a monetary reward”, Ukrainian prosecutors said on Telegram.

They “arrived in Lviv and retrieved explosives hidden in a bag at specific coordinates”, authorities said. “The defendants were set to plant the concealed explosives in an administrative building at a Lviv police station as part of their prearranged plan.”

One of the perpetrators was a 22-year-old woman and resident of Kyiv who had been looking to ear “easy money” through Telegram channels.

After recruitment by Russian intelligence she was tasked with a “test” assignment, posting Russian propaganda leaflets around Kyiv, Ukrainska Pravda reported.

Trump must see through Putin’s stalling tactics over Ukraine ceasefire, Germany says

20:00 , Alex Croft

Donald Trump must not be misled by Vladimir Putin’s “stalling tactics” to delay peace in Ukraine, outgoing German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said during a visit to Kyiv.

“At the upcoming meeting of Nato foreign ministers, we will make it clear to the American side that we should not engage with Putin’s stalling tactics,” the 44-year-old Greens leader said in a statement released after her arrival in the Ukrainian capital.

Mr Putin is “feigning readiness to negotiate but is not moving one millimetre from his position”, she added.

Only international pressure can stop Putin’s terror – Zelensky

19:35 , Barney Davis

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Russian terror can only be stopped with pressure from international partners after a missile strike on Kryvyi Rih killed four civilians.

“A targeted Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih. All necessary services are on site, working to mitigate the consequences of the shelling and to help people. Some people are wounded, and they are receiving medical assistance. As of now, it is known that, tragically, four lives were claimed by this strike, all of them civilians. My condolences to their families and loved ones,” he said on Telegram.

Zelensky stressed that everywhere in the world, such strikes are called by the same name – terror.

“What separates us all from at least a complete and unconditional cessation of strikes is the lack of Russia’s consent to end the war, and only the world’s pressure can ensure such consent,” Zelensky said.

(Telegram)

Mapped: Russia advance slows in Donetsk as Ukraine launches counterattacks

19:31 , Alex Croft

Watch ‘key’ fighter pilot shoot down drones

19:20 , Barney Davis

Nighttime combat in the skies: Fighter pilot with call sign Denfix took down two Shaheds.

Denfix, a MiG-29 pilot, intercepts russian cruise missiles and attack drones. With over 20 aerial kills, he’s a key player in Ukraine’s air defense. Watch him in action. pic.twitter.com/J6lOviTwkW — Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) April 2, 2025

‘Russia wants to continue fighting’ – Putin biographer

19:00 , Alex Croft

Rebekah Koffler, a former DIA intelligence officer who specializes in Russia’s war strategy, told Fox New that Putin’s goal with his latest conscription drive is to prolong the war.

“There’s no ceasefire and no peace plan between Russia and Ukraine to be had,” said Koffler, the author of a best-selling book ” Putin’s Playbook .”

“What President Trump seeks is regretfully, unachievable. Putin’s goal is to keep fighting, in order to compel Ukraine to capitulate.

“Now that Germany and France are considering to deploy reassurance forces into Ukraine, Putin is factoring in those numbers, so he is increasing his force’s posture, to deter such a deployment or failing to prevent it by force.”

(AP)

Russia has initiated its largest military draft in 14 years ahead of possible spring offensive

18:29 , Alex Croft

Putin has called up 160,000 men as part of the country’s bi-annual conscription drive as Russia seeks to beef up its military ranks.

According to the legislation, citizens aged 18 to 30 will be called up for mandatory military service through June 15.

The spring draft marks the largest conscription campaign since spring 2011, when 200,000 men were called up for service. Last year, 150,000 men were called, following 134,500 in 2022.

Ukrainian secret service arrest two alleged spies

18:26 , Barney Davis

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) say they have detained a man and a woman acting as spies for Russia on suspicion of attempting to carry out a bombing on a local police station office.

The SBU reported that the device, disguised as a fire extinguisher, was taken from a hidden cache based on coordinates provided by Russian handlers from the GRU.

According to SBU, a 22-year-old woman from Kyiv, was recruited via Telegram looking for “easy money” and initially tasked with distributing Russian propaganda leaflets in the Ukrainian capital.

After completing her first “test” assignment, she was allegedly told to travel to Lviv to carry out the attack. She also recruited an acquaintance to assist her in blowing up the administrative building of the local district police department, said the SBU.

Security services say the attackers also planned to install a hidden camera to broadcast the explosion’s impact to their Russian handlers.

The SBU said it “exposed both agents in advance, documented their crimes, and detained them ‘red-handed’ as they approached the police unit with explosives.”

Both suspects have been charged with high treason under martial law, a crime punishable by life imprisonment with property confiscation.

(Telegram/SBU)

Fighting increases despite ceasefire talks

17:58 , Alex Croft

Despite negotiations for a ceasefire, March saw a sharp increase in combat clashes along the frontline.

The number of clashes rose from 3,274 in February to 4,270 in March, bringing the total for 2025 to 12,631 so far, according to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

Russian forces have also significantly escalated their use of guided aerial bombs against Ukrainian positions.

In March, approximately 4,800 such munitions were deployed, an increase from 3,370 in February.

Four dead after Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih

17:53 , Barney Davis

The death toll from a Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih has risen to four, with three others injured.

Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the Kryvyi Rih Defense Council, reported the attack on Telegram.

“Rescue operations are ongoing. A massive fire has broken out,” Vilkul wrote.

“Unfortunately, as of now, the death toll has risen to four,” Vilkul updated on Telegram.

A support center for affected residents will be set up in front of a store near the World War II military equipment monument.

Earlier reports indicated that Russia had targeted one of the city’s industrial facilities with a ballistic missile.

News analysis | Trump’s ‘anger’ at Putin over Ukraine peace deal delay is just play acting

17:23 , Alex Croft

World affairs editor Sam Kiley writes:

Donald Trump is peeved. His officials are starting to spin that his plans for almost instant peace in Ukraine may take a lot longer, while Vladimir Putin’s business envoy heads for the White House, supposedly to make amends.

Yet what it truly reveals is that the 47th president continues to be played by the Kremlin.

Trump has unleashed a trade war, expressed colonial designs on two Nato members, scrambled Ukraine’s defensive war plans, shown public contempt for Europe and set about the pillars of American democracy with a sledgehammer.

Trump has shown a remarkable ability to interpret Moscow’s deepest desires and to deliver on them.

That the US president is now saying he is “pissed off” with Putin and is considering – considering – increasing tariffs and sanctions on Russia, is play acting.

Trump’s ‘anger’ at Putin over Ukraine peace deal delay is just play acting

Russia and Ukraine trade accusations of energy facility attacks

16:49 , Alex Croft

Russia and Ukraine accused each other of launching new attacks against each other’s energy facilities on Wednesday, in violation of a US-brokered halt on such strikes.

Both sides said they were providing details of the alleged violations to the US, which persuaded Moscow and Kyiv to agree to the limited truce last month as a potential stepping stone towards a full ceasefire.

Russia’s defence ministry said Ukraine had conducted drone and shelling attacks in the western Kursk region that cut off power to over 1,500 households.

In the Russian-held part of Ukraine’s Luhansk region, the state gas company said that a Ukraine drone strike on a gas distribution station had left more than 11,000 customers around the town of Svatove with limited access to gas.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy said a Russian drone hit an energy substation in Sumy region and artillery fire damaged a power line in Dnipropetrovsk, cutting off electricity to nearly 4,000 consumers.

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is impatient with both sides to move faster towards ending the three-year war.

A Ukrainian drone attack on Kharkiv injured three children (EPA)

Russian missile fired at ‘civilian infrastructure’: city official

16:43 , Steffie Banatvala

A Russian missile attack on the central Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih on Wednesday killed at least three people, local officials reported.

The head of the city military administration said Russia has fired a ballistic missile at a “civilian infrastructure facility”.

In pictures: Putin meets regional chief in Moscow

16:17 , Alex Croft

Russian president Vladimir Putin meets with Head of the Republic of Buryatia Alexei Tsydenov at the Kremlin in Moscow (AP)

Putin is set to send an envoy to Washington for talks with the Trump administration (AP)

Russian missile kills three in Kryvyi Rih

15:53 , Alex Croft

Three people have been killed after a Russian missile hit an enterprise in the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih, the regional governor said.

At least one person was injured, he added on Telegram, while the attack sparked fire.

‘Russia’s position holding up ceasefire’ – Zelensky

15:46 , Alex Croft

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said that he had been sharing information with the United States. He posted on X on Tuesday: “We have shared all information regarding Russia’s violations in the energy sector — there were strikes, and today again in Kherson, a Russian drone targeted an energy facility and equipment — deliberately and purposefully.

“Part of the city was left without electricity. We insist that every such violation must be documented and receive a response from our partners. It is precisely these small details that add up to Russia’s major delays in the diplomatic process.

“The unconditional cessation of strikes proposed by the United States is not being implemented solely because of Russia’s position.”

Nato countries pledge more than £16 billion military support to Ukraine since start of 2025

15:16 , Alex Croft

Nato countries allies have pledged more than 20 billion euros (£16.73 billion) in military support for Ukraine in the first three months of the year, secretary-general Mark Rutte said on Wednesday.

Foreign ministers from the alliance meet in Brussels on Thursday and Friday to discuss further support for Ukraine against Russia’s three-year-old invasion.

All you need to know so far on Wednesday

14:54 , Alex Croft

If you’re just joining us now, here’s everything you need to know so far on Wednesday:

Senior Russian official Kirill Dmitriev is set to visit Washington this week, where he will likely discuss peace in Ukraine, the return of US companies to Russia, rare earths, energy prices, prisoner swaps and other topics with Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff.

The Kremlin did not confirm the visit but said it was “possible”, adding that contacts between Moscow and Washington are continuing.

Russia killed one person and injured at least 10, including three children, in an overnight drone attack on Ukraine. Around 74 drones were launched including 14 at the northeastern Kharkiv region, where most of the injuries were recorded. 41 drones were shot down.

Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of damaging energy facilities in the Sumy and Dnipropetrovsk regions, cutting power to 4,000 people. Both countries had agreed to a halt on energy infrastructure strikes – but they have both accused each other of breaching this deal.

Russia shot down 93 Ukrainian drones, 87 of which were destroyed over the Kursk region, Moscow said. Dozens of people were evacuated from an apartment building in the Russian city of Kursk after it was hit by falling drone debris, the regional governor said.

Donald Trump’s pick to become America’s most senior military officer has emphasised the importance of military support for Ukraine. During his senate confirmation hearing, Lieutenant General Dan Caines said US assistance “improves Ukraine’s position at the negotiating table and deters Russia from further aggression”.

Elsewhere in the senate, 25 Republicans and 25 Democrats – making up half of the senate – banded together to propose sanctions on Russia which would be imposed if it refuses to engage in good faith negotiations with Ukraine.

Two people were arrested in an alleged Russian plot to blow up a police station in Lviv. The suspects had been offered money to carry out the act.

Trump must see through Putin’s stalling tactics over Ukraine ceasefire, Germany says

14:31 , Alex Croft

Donald Trump must not be misled by Vladimir Putin’s “stalling tactics” to delay peace in Ukraine, outgoing German minister Annalena Baerbock said during a visit to Kyiv.

The US president showed the first signs of frustration with his Russian counterpart over the weekend, telling NBC News he was “p***** off” and “very angry” with Putin over the failure to reach an agreement with a ceasefire – before threatening to unleash oil tariffs on Moscow.

Paying a final visit to Kyiv as Germany’s foreign minister – before a new government takes office with CDU leader Friedrich Merz at the helm – Ms Baerbock said she would raise the issue with US secretary of state Marco Rubio during a meeting of Nato foreign ministers this week.

“At the upcoming meeting of NATO foreign ministers, we will make it clear to the American side that we should not engage with Putin’s stalling tactics,” the 44-year-old Greens leader said in a statement released after her arrival in the Ukrainian capital.

Read the full report:

Trump must see through Putin’s stalling tactics over Ukraine ceasefire, Germany says

Corruption officers expose $18million embezzlement scheme in Ukraine’s defence ministry

14:13 , Alex Croft

Anti-corruption officers in Ukraine have exposed a $17.8 million embezzlement scheme in the defence ministry, Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) has said.

The funds were embezzled during food procurement for the Armed Forces between 2022 and 2023, and have led to charges being brought against a former head of department within the Ministry of Defence.

Food supplies for the army were arranged through pre-assembled “food kits” taken from a selection of 409 items – but only 10 per cent of those products were regularly ordered, NABU said according to Ukrainska Pravda.

Other items such as spices and berries, were very rarely due to their seasonal nature.

“This system allowed suppliers to manipulate prices – artificially inflating the cost of high-demand products while lowering prices for unpopular or seasonal products (such as cherries or apricots in winter).

“At first glance, there were no violations, as the total price of the kit remained unchanged. However, potatoes, supplied in thousands of tonnes, cost a fortune, while seasonal berries and fruits, which were rarely ordered, were priced at mere pennies.”

Ukraine $10billion short in funding needed for recovery efforts – PM

13:46 , Alex Croft

Ukraine is has come up $10 billion short in what is needed for recovery efforts in 2025, Kyiv’s prime minister Denuys Shmyhal said on Wednesday.

Kyiv needs $39.3 billion in international support this year and its partners have confirmed their commitment to covering this amount, Mr Shmyhal said.

But so far the overall shortfall is nearly $10 billion, he said after the 13th meeting of the Steering Committee of the Ukraine Donor Platform.

“This year, we consider the key areas of joint work of the Ukraine Donor Platform to be budget support, sustainable financing for infrastructure, housing and energy recovery, as well as economic development and investment attraction on the path to the EU,” he said.

In pictures: Zelensky visits wounded troops in Dnipro

13:40 , Alex Croft

Volodymyr Zelensky met with Ukrainian troops at a hospital in Dnipro on Wednesday (UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER)

The Ukrainian president said earlier on Wednesday that the international community must place “new and tangible pressure” on Moscow to force it to end the war (UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER)

Ukrainian records 176 clashes with Russian troops, 64 near Pokrovsk

13:26 , Alex Croft

The Ukrainian military recorded 176 clashes with Russian forces over the past day, 64 of which took place on the eastern Pokrovsk front.

Vladimir Putin’s forces have been steadily advancing near Pokrovsk, a strategic Ukrainian town which serves as a supply hub for other areas of the frontline. Russia has aimed to cut supply lines to and from Pokrovsk to other Ukrainian-controlled areas.

Clashes were also recorded on the fronts in Kharkiv, Kupiansk, Lyman, Toretsk, Kursk and others.

The grinding war of attrition in eastern Ukraine has seen Russia send large masses of troops charging towards stretched Ukrainian defences, claiming incremental territorial gains at the cost of large manpower losses.

Watch: Sam Kiley visits Kherson where Ukrainian civilians are being targeted by Russian drones in near-daily attacks

13:12 , Alex Croft

Dozens of people evacuated from Kursk building struck by drone debris, official says

12:59 , Alex Croft

Dozens of people were evacuated from an apartment building in the Russian city of Kursk following a Ukrainian drone attack, a regional official said on Wednesday.

“As a result of the attack of enemy drones on Kursk, there is damage to an apartment building in the city centre,” the acting governor of the Kursk region, Alexander Khinshtein, said on Telegram.

At least 60 people were evacuated from the building which was hit with drone debris, he said. “Fortunately, there are no casualties.”

Ukraine has not yet commented on the attack, the size of which remains unclear.

In pictures: Abandoned town in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine

12:44 , Alex Croft

The ruined and abandoned town of Maryinka (Mariinka) in the Donetsk region, Russian-controlled Ukraine (AFP via Getty Images)

The abandoned town was home to more than 9,000 people in 2022 (AFP via Getty Images)

The city was largely destroyed during the Russian invasion, and has been abandoned since November 2022. It was reported as fully captured by Russian forces in 2023 (AFP via Getty Images)

Comment | Putin has been playing Trump like a cheap violin

12:29 , Alex Croft

Such is the Trump Tower-sized self-conceit of Donald J Trump that for weeks – if not months – he could not see what virtually the whole of the rest of the world could: Vladimir Putin was playing him like a cheap violin.

Trump, seemingly mesmerised by the Russian leader, gave his friend everything he wanted: dominance in Ukraine, aside from a carve-out for US mineral interests; a Russian zone of influence in Europe; the abandonment of Nato and other allies. All of that in return for the Russians scaling back their nuclear arsenal and giving the Americans a free run at acquiring Greenland and Canada (even if they are not Russia’s to give away and won’t ever happen).

That looked to be the kind of grand bargain Trump was looking for, but Putin overplayed his hand.

Associate editor Sean O’Grady writes:

Putin has been playing Trump like a cheap violin

US Senators push for sanctions on Russia if peace efforts delayed

12:00 , Alex Croft

Half of the US Senate, including 25 Republicans and 25 Democrats, banded together to introduce prospective sanctions on Russia which would be imposed if it refuses to engage in good faith negotiations with Ukraine.

Led by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, the group said it would impose primary and secondary sanctions against Russia if Moscow does not engage in talks or initiated another attempt to undermine Ukraine’s sovereignty.

“The sanctions against Russia require tariffs on countries who purchase Russian oil, gas, uranium and other products. They are hard hitting for a reason,” the two senators said in a statement, a rare moment of bipartisanship in a divided Congress.

“The dominating view in the United States Senate is that Russia is the aggressor, and that this horrific war and Putin’s aggression must end now and be deterred in the future,” they said.

Ukraine marks three years since Russian forces pushed out of Kyiv region

11:51 , Alex Croft

Three years ago, the Defense Forces drove the enemy out of Kyiv region. The russians attempted to swiftly capture the capital but shattered their ambitions against the resilience of the Ukrainian soldiers and the unity of Ukrainian society.

At the same time, with the liberation… pic.twitter.com/0vQ21xjIRG — Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) April 2, 2025

Watch: Ukraine’s firefighters battle blaze after Russian drone strike in Kharkiv

11:45 , Alex Croft

Trump’s pick for top US general stresses need to arm Ukraine

11:32 , Alex Croft

Donald Trump’s nominee to become America’s most senior military general has voiced his support for military assistance to Ukraine to “deter Russia from further aggression”.

Retired Lieutenant General Dan Caine is Mr Trump’s pick to become the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff – the highest-ranking officer in the US armed forces and the main military advisor to the president.

Speaking at the Senate Armed Services Committee, Lt Gen Caine said US military assistance “improves Ukraine’s position at the negotiating table and deters Russia from further aggression”.

“From a military standpoint, Ukraine has the right to self-defense, and from that standpoint our security assistance helps Ukraine to defend itself,” he said according to the published transcript of his confirmation hearing.

But Washington should “focus on what unique capabilities only the US can provide” while Europe “increases its share of support”.

Lt Gen Caine believes Moscow will “continue to prosecute the war in 2025” because it “likely views the conflict is in its favour”.

Lt Gen Caine faced the Senate Armed Services Committee for his confirmation hearing on Monday (Getty Images)

Who is Putin’s negotiator and what will he discuss?

11:11 , Alex Croft

Kirill Dmitriev, the 49-year-old chief of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, is reportedly set to visit Washington to meet Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff.

But who is Kyiv-born Mr Dmitriev, and why is he being sent by Moscow on what would be Russia’s first diplomatic visit to the US since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022?

Mr Dmitriev, who holds regular meetings with Vladimir Putin, was appointed in February as Putin’s special envoy on international economic and investment cooperation.

Born in Kyiv in Soviet Ukraine, the envoy went on to study at Stanford University in California before being awarded an MBA with distinction at Harvard.

He speaks fluent English, worked at Goldman Sachs in New York alongside McKinsey & Company, before returning to Moscow where he worked in an US-Russian investment management company.

Kirill Dmitriev was present for previous Russia-US talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (REUTERS)

He has built strong relations with key members of the Trump team, having played a role in early Russia-US contacts when Mr Trump first took power in 2016. Mr Dmitriev also met US special envoy Steve Witkoff when he visited Moscow in March.

Having flattered Mr Trump, he may be seen as the perfect fit for a Washington visit. “Trump (is) driving tectonic shifts in geopolitics. False malign paradigms (are) collapsing, giving way to common sense and values-driven solutions,” Mr Dmitriev said.

Moscow has likely tasked him with discussing the return of US companies to Russia, rare earths, energy prices, prisoner swaps and peace in Ukraine, among other topics.

Mr Dmitriev was sanctioned by the US as a “a known Putin ally”, but has not been sanctioned by the European Union. According to CNN, Washington has temporarily lifted the sanctions for the visit.

Visit to Washington by Putin envoy is ‘possible’, says Kremlin

10:56 , Alex Croft

A US visit by Vladimir Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev is “possible”, the Kremlin said on Wednesday.

Contacts between Moscow and Washington are continuing, a Kremlin spokesperson added.

Reuters reported that Dmitriev is expected in Washington this week for talks with Donald Trump’s administration.

Watch: Trump warns Zelensky of ‘big problems’ after accusing him of minerals deal u-turn

10:49 , Alex Croft

Two arrested in Russian plot to blow up Lviv police station

10:29 , Alex Croft

Two people have been arrested after allegedly plotting to blow up a police station in the western city of Lviv on Russian instructions, Ukrainian authorities said.

The suspects were carrying out the “instructions of a Russian representative in exchange for a monetary reward”, Ukrainian prosecutors said on Telegram.

They “arrived in Lviv and retrieved explosives hidden in a bag at specific coordinates”, authorities said. “The defendants were set to plant the concealed explosives in an administrative building at a Lviv police station as part of their prearranged plan.”

One of the perpetrators was a 22-year-old woman and resident of Kyiv who had been looking to ear “easy money” through Telegram channels.

After recruitment by Russian intelligence she was tasked with a “test” assignment, posting Russian propaganda leaflets around Kyiv, Ukrainska Pravda reported.

Black Sea ceasefire: Why crucial Ukraine-Russia deal may never work despite concessions made to Putin

10:15 , Alex Croft

Russia and Ukraine have agreed to stop attacking ships in the Black Sea after intense negotiations with the US in Saudi Arabia.

It is not the full ceasefire Donald Trump is continuing to push for three years into Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, but the move is seen as progress by the White House.

A US delegation held separate talks with counterparts from Russia and Ukraine over three days into Tuesday.

The talks with Kyiv came on either side of a marathon 12-hour discussion with Kremlin representatives on Monday, which was described by a Russian official as “challenging” but “useful”.

Rachel Clun reports:

Black Sea ceasefire: Why crucial deal may never work despite concessions to Putin

More pictures from Russian drone attack on Kharkiv

10:03 , Alex Croft

At least eight people were injured, including three children, according to the State Emergency Service (EPA)

Volodymyr Zelensky said around 14 drones were fired at Kharkiv, of the 74 fired by Russia in total (EPA)

Ukrainian experts inspect a drone engine at the site of a shock drone strike in Kharkiv (EPA)

Mapped: Russia advance slows in Donetsk as Ukraine launches counterattacks

09:48 , Alex Croft

Action must be taken against Russia now, says Zelensky

09:35 , Alex Croft

More from Volodymyr Zelensky, who called for a global response following Russia’s overnight drone attack.

In a direct message to Western allies, Mr Zelensky says “new and tangible pressure” is needed on Moscow to bring the war to an end.

The US and European countries must not wait until April 11, when it will be a month since Russia rejected the US ceasefire proposal, he added.

“This systematic and constant nature of Russian strikes clearly indicates that Moscow despises the diplomatic efforts of partners,” Mr Zelensky wrote on X. “Putin does not even want to ensure a partial ceasefire.

“We should not wait until April 11, when it will be a month since Russia said ‘no’ to the American proposal for a ceasefire. Action must be taken as soon as possible.”

Kyiv is ready to work with partners from the US and Europe to achieve a “dignified and lasting peace”, he added.

Last night, the Russian army continued using attack drones against Ukraine. A total of 74 drones were launched, including 54 Shaheds. Kharkiv was deliberately targeted – at least 14 drones. Unfortunately, there were hits. There are wounded, including three children. All are… pic.twitter.com/PUk5tSlHMN — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 2, 2025

Three children injured in overnight Russian attacks – Zelensky

09:22 , Alex Croft

Three children were injured during the 74-drone attack on Ukraine by Russian forces, Volodymyr Zelensky added in his X post.

Kharkiv was the most heavily targeted area in the attack, facing at least 14 drones. The attack involved 54 Iran-made Shahed drones in total, the Ukrainian president added.

All the wounded are receiving the “necessary assistance” he said.

Russian attacks damage multiple energy facilities – Zelensky

09:16 , Alex Croft

Russian attacks damaged multiple energy facilities in Ukraine, president Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday.

Facilities in the Sumy and Dnipropetrovsk regions were damaged, with electricity cut to nearly 4,000 consumers, Mr Zelensky wrote on X.

A drone hit a substation in the northeastern Sumy region andn artillery fire damaged a power line in the central Dnipropetrovsk region, he said.

Kyiv and Moscow had agreed with the US to a pause on energy infrastructure attacks, but both side has accused the other of violating this truce.

Russia also launched a drone attack in Kharkiv (AFP via Getty Images)

Ukrainian records 176 clashes with Russian troops, 64 near Pokrovsk

08:49 , Alex Croft

The Ukrainian military recorded 176 clashes with Russian forces over the past day, 64 of which took place on the eastern Pokrovsk front.

Vladimir Putin’s forces have been steadily advancing near Pokrovsk, a strategic Ukrainian town which serves as a supply hub for other areas of the frontline. Russia has aimed to cut supply lines to and from Pokrovsk to other Ukrainian-controlled areas.

Clashes were also recorded on the fronts in Kharkiv, Kupiansk, Lyman, Toretsk, Kursk and others.

The grinding war of attrition in eastern Ukraine has seen Russia send large masses of troops charging towards stretched Ukrainian defences, claiming incremental territorial gains at the cost of large manpower losses.

ICYMI: Moscow can’t accept US peace proposals in current form – Russian diplomat

08:26 , Alex Croft

Moscow cannot accept the current US proposals on ending the war in Ukraine, a Russian diplomat said on Tuesday, as Washington expresses the first signs of anger over Vladimir Putin’s stalling of a peace settlement.

Russia is giving serious consideration to the proposals but Washington must take into account what the Kremlin regards as the root causes of the conflict, deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov said according to state media.

“We take the models and solutions proposed by the Americans very seriously, but we can’t accept it all in its current form,” he said.

“As far as we can see, there is no place in them today for our main demand, namely to solve the problems related to the root causes of this conflict,” he told Russia’s International Affairs magazine.

“It is completely absent, and that must be overcome,” he was quoted as saying.

Recap: Why is Trump ‘very angry’ with Putin?

08:20 , Alex Croft

After weeks of working with Vladimir Putin to reach a peace deal in Ukraine, Donald Trump has now said he is “p***** off” with the Russian leader.

In and NBC interview, the US president said he was “very angry” with Putin for attacking Volodymyr Zelensky’s governence.

“You could say that I was very angry, pissed off, when… Putin started getting into Zelensky’s credibility, because that’s not going in the right location,” Trump told NBC.

Last week, the Russian president said Ukraine should be put under external UN governance as part of the ceasefire process.

His suggestion that Zelensky’s leadership was illegitimate was met with condemnation from leaders around the world.

“New leadership means you’re not gonna have a deal for a long time,” Trump added in his interview with NBC.

It is the first time Trump has appeared to express real anger towards Moscow since taking office in January (AFP/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

Putin envoy responds to reports of Washington visit

08:14 , Alex Croft

Kirill Dmitriev, Putin’s international cooperation envoy, has responded to reports that he is set to visit Washington this week.

“Maybe. The resistance to US–Russia dialogue is real—driven by entrenched interests and old narratives,” he wrote on X.

“But what if improved relations are exactly what the world needs for lasting global security and peace?”

He later posted a poll, asking his followers: “Are good U.S.–Russia relations good for the world?”

Maybe.

The resistance to US–Russia dialogue is real—driven by entrenched interests and old narratives.

But what if improved relations are exactly what the world needs for lasting global security and peace 🕊️?#Geopolitics #USRussia #Peace #GlobalSecurity https://t.co/U3ungjB21Z — Kirill A. Dmitriev (@kadmitriev) April 1, 2025

Putin envoy to visit Washington for Witkoff meeting

08:03 , Alex Croft

Vladimir Putin’s envoy for international cooperation is reportedly set to visit Washington this week for a meeting with Trump envoy Steve Witkoff.

In what would be the first visit by a Russian official to Washington since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Moscow’s presidential envoy for international cooperation Kirill Dmitriev will meet with Mr Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, two sources told Reuters.

A close advisor to Putin, Dmitriev has been involved in recent US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia amid warming relations between Washington and Moscow.

He worked with Mr Witkoff to secure the release of American teacher Marc Fogel, who was arrested in Russia for trying to enter the country with a small amount of medical cannabis.