NATO

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg will meet with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and attend the G7 Foreign Ministers' meeting in Italy.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that NATO should play a greater role in coordinating long-term assistance to Ukraine, including immediate needs on the battlefield, predictable financial support, and aid coordination.

On Friday, April 19, the NATO-Ukraine Council will meet to discuss Ukraine's urgent need for more support, including air defense and artillery shells, at the request of President Zelenskyy.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba will visit Italy to participate in the G7 ministerial meeting and hold bilateral talks aimed at obtaining additional air defense systems and weapons for Ukraine.

Three unidentified drones flew over Romania's Mihail Kogalniceanu air base, where the largest European NATO base is being built, prompting an investigation by the military prosecutor's office.

The United States understands Ukraine's desire for air defense support, but it is not going to engage in direct armed conflict with Russia, while remaining fully committed to Ukraine's defense by providing air defense systems and other military assistance.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Umerov discussed with Pentagon chief Austin the enemy's plans, ways to disrupt them, and the need to strengthen Ukraine's air defense with more missiles.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that dividing US aid into separate accounts for Ukraine, Israel and other countries is pure politics that ignores the lives of people dying in Ukraine every day. He emphasized that if Kyiv falls, it could lead to a war with NATO countries involving American soldiers.

Biden called on Congress to approve aid to Ukraine, warning that Russia will not stop in Ukraine and its aggression threatens NATO and Europe, while Czech Prime Minister Fiala said it was necessary to continue supporting Ukraine as long as possible.

Biden and Czech Prime Minister Fiala discussed NATO alliances, strengthening the Czech Republic's defense capabilities, unwavering support for Ukraine against Russian invasion, and signing a memorandum on protecting democratic institutions from foreign disinformation.

Zelensky praised the allies' unity and effectiveness in defending against terror in Israeli skies, hinting at similar full support for Ukraine in shooting down drones and missiles to protect lives and prevent further escalation.

The Greek prime minister is convinced that russian troops deliberately launched a missile strike on Odesa to intimidate Athens when he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were visiting the city.

Decisive action by allies prevented terrorist success and loss of infrastructure in Israel, demonstrating that non-NATO Ukraine can defend itself as effectively through unity and political will, according to President Zelenskiy.

President Zelenskyy held a meeting to discuss the situation on the frontline, energy issues, and the protection of critical infrastructure, emphasizing the need for greater unity among allies in providing air defense support to Ukraine.

The Lithuanian Foreign Minister emphasized that continued assistance to Ukraine is crucial for global stability, not just for Ukraine or the region.

The British military will not shoot down kamikaze drones over Ukraine to avoid a direct escalation of the conflict with russia, British Foreign Secretary David Cameron has said.

Polish President Andrzej Duda said that the allies must ensure the return of all russian-occupied territories to Ukraine.

The eighth training of Wagner PMC mercenaries for sabotage operations in Ukraine has been completed in Belarus.

The State Logistics Operator takes into account the results of quality inspections of food supplied to military units when planning its activities and making purchases from suppliers for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The crews of two mine countermeasures ships provided by the United Kingdom have already been trained and are on duty, and three more ships from the Netherlands and Belgium are expected to arrive, giving Ukraine at least five mine countermeasures ships in total.

Russia is using an "amoeba tactic" in Ukraine. the Russians are experimenting with small forces in different places and hope that somewhere there will be a breakthrough, says the chief of the General Staff of the Estonian Defense Forces.

Acting Bulgarian Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov said that Russian aggression is a direct problem for Bulgaria.

Russia cannot be a partner in solving problems, because Russia itself is a problem, as Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said during the Black Sea Security Conference.

Serbia plans to sign a €3 billion deal with France to buy a dozen Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation, diversifying its arms purchases amid Russia's war in Ukraine, despite being one of Moscow's closest allies.

At the meeting with the Baltic ministers, Ukraine's Interior Minister discussed security issues such as attacks on infrastructure, mining, migration, arms trafficking, and protecting schools, while the partners viewed the destruction caused by the Russian invasion using virtual reality and pledged support in the form of funds, equipment, training, and reconstruction efforts until Ukraine's victory.

On the Day of the Defense Industry Worker, President Zelenskyy inspected the latest military equipment and weapons, and heard a report on their production and use at the front.

Two Belarusians stole 40 NATO-style assault rifles from a freight train in Germany to sell them on the darknet, but were arrested by police after a sting operation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine is preparing a comprehensive strategy and action plan for interaction with Ukrainians living abroad, aimed at preserving their Ukrainian identity.

President Zelenskyy said that all of Ukraine's international partners agree to participate in Ukraine's post-war reconstruction, which is estimated to cost about $700 billion, although the final amount cannot be determined until the war is over.

The United States remains Ukraine's most reliable strategic partner, with ongoing dialogue and diverse cooperation between the two countries on a variety of issues, including military assistance, the Peace Summit, and the upcoming NATO summit.