NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could provoke Russia to act against NATO. He emphasized that these two countries should be viewed as a single entity.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy plans to ask European allies for help in raising salaries for Ukrainian military personnel. This comes against the backdrop of reduced spending on military salaries in the draft State Budget for 2026.
The United States may provide Ukraine with 20 to 50 Tomahawk missiles, which may not be enough for sustained attacks against Russia. In total, the US has 4,150 such missiles.
US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet at the White House on Friday. They will discuss the supply of long-range Tomahawk missiles and additional Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine.
The European Union is considering using about 200 billion euros of frozen Russian central bank assets as the only way to sustainably finance Ukraine. EU leaders aim to reach a political agreement on this at next week's summit, after which work on a legal proposal will begin.
Donald Trump said that his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, had a five-hour meeting with Vladimir Putin, although only 20 minutes were planned. Witkoff, who knew little about Russia and Putin, said he discussed "many interesting things."
President Zelenskyy stated that the Russians promised the US to occupy Donbas by October-November, but the Armed Forces of Ukraine are advancing. He emphasized the need to strengthen air defense to protect against Russian air terror.
The 'United Russia' party continues to transport Ukrainian children from the temporarily occupied territories of the Kherson region to Novorossiysk. The CNS urges parents in the temporarily occupied territories not to allow the occupiers to take their children, as each such trip 'can become a one-way journey.'
Russia's efforts to increase military recruitment through high financial incentives are not yielding results. The number of people signing contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense is not increasing, even in regions with the highest financial incentives.
US President Donald Trump will send Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine if Russia continues the war. According to him, "President Putin would look great if he solved this problem, and I think he will solve it."
Putin eased state support rules for oil refineries, allowing them to receive subsidies even with high market prices for gasoline and diesel fuel. This decision will be in effect until May 1, 2026, and aims to encourage producers to supply fuel to the domestic market.
President Zelenskyy stated that Russia's fear of Ukraine receiving Tomahawk missiles is a signal of the effectiveness of pressure for peace. Ukrainian and American teams are already coordinating actions in energy and defense.
The Financial Times reports that the US has been helping Ukraine for months to strike Russia's strategic energy facilities. The goal is to weaken the Russian economy and force the Kremlin to negotiate.
The US President is frustrated by Moscow's stalled efforts to end the full-scale war against Ukraine. Kyiv and Washington are actively discussing the transfer of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel helped the Russian army master modern combat tactics before Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2014. The defense concern Rheinmetall planned to receive a contract with the Kremlin worth about 1 billion euros.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic expressed disappointment with Russia's decision to offer a gas deal only until the end of the year, although Serbia sought a three-year contract. Vucic rejected suggestions of nationalizing NIS, controlled by Russia's Gazprom Neft, to circumvent US sanctions.
US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the possibility of Ukraine receiving long-range Tomahawk missiles. The conversation lasted about 30 minutes, but it is unknown whether a final decision has been made.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin launched a massive attack on Ukraine while most world leaders are focused on establishing peace in the Middle East. Zelenskyy emphasized that this is a new record of Russian perfidy.
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin stated that it was not for him to judge Donald Trump's worthiness to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, but noted his efforts in resolving long-term crises. Trump thanked Putin for the comment, while the 2025 prize was awarded to María Corina Machado.
US First Lady Melania Trump announced the reunification of eight Ukrainian children with their families after Vladimir Putin responded to her letter. The letter was handed over by Donald Trump during a meeting with the Russian president in Alaska.
A trial against Petro Poroshenko for treason over coal trade with the occupied territories of Donbas has begun in Ukraine. At the same time, his former associate Oleh Hladkovsky is selling a luxury villa for $4 million.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine called the shelling a conscious demonstration of the immutability of the Kremlin's aggressive actions. He compared Russia's actions to genocide, referring to the Genocide Convention, and called for increased pressure on Moscow.
US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker stated that the US possesses weapons, the transfer of which to Ukraine could force Russia to enter negotiations. He did not specify the type of weapon, but his words came amid Ukraine's request for Tomahawk missiles.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated the need to intensify long-range sanctions against Russia. He emphasized that Ukraine's effectiveness in long-range capabilities would accelerate the achievement of peace.
Vladimir Putin met with Ilham Aliyev for the first time in a year, discussing the crash of an AZAL plane that crashed in Kazakhstan after Russian air defense operations. Putin stated that two missiles exploded a few meters from the plane, not hitting it directly.
Leading Russian industrial companies, including railways, car manufacturers, and metallurgical enterprises, are reducing working weeks or sending employees on forced leave. This is happening due to the slowdown of the military economy, stagnation of domestic demand, and declining exports.
President Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine will nominate Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize if he secures a ceasefire. Zelenskyy believes that Trump seeks to end the war, while Putin fears a ceasefire.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that there is a dialogue with Trump and his team and that the American president understands that Putin is lying to him.
NATO allies are discussing more decisive measures in response to Russian provocations, including the deployment of armed drones and easing restrictions for pilots on opening fire. The goal of the negotiations is to raise the cost for Moscow for its "hybrid war" and develop clear countermeasures.
The draft federal budget of Russia for 2026–2028 envisages a redistribution of resources from social programs to the military-industrial complex and security agencies. The maintenance of the Russian dictator will become more expensive, exceeding the annual budgets of some regions.
