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Ukraine has urged the U.S. Treasury to find a mechanism to use $300 billion in frozen Russian assets for reconstruction and defense, Andriy Pyshnyy, head of the National Bank of Ukraine, said on April 24, Reuters reported.
The Ukrainian delegation raised the issue with U.S. Treasury officials during negotiations on April 23, according to Reuters. Ukraine intends to continue lobbying for the initiative at an upcoming meeting with the International Monetary Fund, Pyshnyy said.
“Is there a mechanism to get access to these assets, to turn them into the source to cover the losses and damages of Ukraine and to fuel its resilience? The answer is very simple, yes,” Pyshnyy said at the 2025 Spring Meetings of the World Bank Group.
In October 2024, the Group of Seven (G7) approved nearly $50 billion in loans for Ukraine that will be repaid by interest generated from frozen Russian assets.
On April 10, the European Union announced it would allocate €2.1 billion ($2.4 billion) in revenue generated from frozen Russian Central Bank assets to support Ukraine's defense industry. EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova said the funds would help provide air defenses and ammunition.
US senators push Trump administration to seize Russian assets for Ukraine, Reuters reports
In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio seen by Reuters on March 24, senators questioned the administration’s willingness to use all available financial tools to pressure Russia into ending its war against Ukraine.
The Kyiv IndependentOlena Goncharova
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1:08 AM
Ukraine raises issue of Russian assets in talks with US Treasury, central bank chief says.
The Ukrainian delegation raised the issue with the U.S. Treasury officials during negotiations on April 23, according to Reuters. Ukraine intends to continue lobbying for the initiative at an upcoming meeting with the International Monetary Fund, Pyshnyy said.
12:31 AM
EU to unveil roadmap in May to end reliance on Russian fossil fuels.
European Commission President Von der Leyen emphasized that the roadmap, set to be announced in two weeks, will lay out concrete steps to eliminate the bloc’s reliance on energy supplies from Russia.
12:01 AM
Ukraine will have to make compromises to reach peace deal, Polish leader says.
“It has to be a compromise,” he said. “De facto this peace should come down to the fact that neither side will be able to say it won this war. Ukraine will also have to step down in some sense, because that’s what will probably happen.”
11:32 PM
US to back Ukraine's right to maintain sufficient army in talks with Russia, Bloomberg reports.
The issue is expected to be raised by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on April 25.
11:19 PM
Trump says Russia has shown willingness for peace by not taking over all of Ukraine, calls it 'pretty big concession.'
“Stopping the war, stopping from taking the whole country, pretty big concession,” Donald Trump said on April 24 when asked what Russia has offered as part of a potential peace deal.
Inside a Kyiv apartment building hit by Russian missile strike.
Russia's devastating missile and drone attack on Kyiv on April 24 killed at least 12 and injured 90 people. The Kyiv Independent visited the residential district where a missile struck an apartment building to speak with witnesses and see the aftermath.
10:49 PM
US warns 'serious consequences' over Russian naval base plans in Sudan.
The statement marks a sharp departure from the typically measured tone of recent U.S.-Russia exchanges and signals Washington's concern over Moscow's expanding military footprint in Africa.
10:25 PM
North Korean missile used in deadly Russian strike on Kyiv, Zelensky says.
"If the information that this missile was made in North Korea is confirmed, it will be further proof of the criminal nature of the alliance between Russia and Pyongyang," Zelensky said in a statement.
10:12 PM
9:18 PM
Trump says both Russia and Ukraine 'want peace', sets deadline for deal.
"So we are thinking very strongly that they both want peace," Trump said during a meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. "But they have to get to the table."
7:56 PM
NATO chief to urge US not to force Russia-friendly deal on Ukraine, FT reports.
According to the publication, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is scheduled to meet with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
7:46 PM
Boris Johnson blasts Trump peace plan after deadly Russian attack on Kyiv.
"As for Ukraine - what do they get after three years of heroic resistance against a brutal and unprovoked invasion?" Johnson said. "What is their reward for the appalling sacrifices they have made - for the sake, as they have endlessly been told, of freedom and democracy around the world?"
6:41 PM
US anger should be directed at Putin, not Ukraine, Macron says after deadly Russian strike on Kyiv.
“The position of France is clear and will not change. We stand for sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with international law,” Macron said. “We will continue to defend the Ukrainian people’s right to live in peace on their territory and within their internationally recognized borders.”
11:17 AM
(Updated: April 24, 2025 6:23 pm)
Ukraine brings back body of journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna tortured in Russian captivity, official says.
Ukrainian officials confirmed Roshchyna's death on Oct. 10, 2024, but said that the circumstances were still under investigation. Russia did not hand over her body for about five months.
1:17 AM
(Updated: April 24, 2025 5:50 pm)
'Russian peace in all its glory' — Mass Russian missile, drone attack on Kyiv kills 12, injures 90.
A series of explosions rocked the capital around 1:00 a.m. local time on April 24, Kyiv Independent journalists on the ground reported. Additional explosions were later heard around 4 a.m. local time.
5:10 PM
Russia expected London talks to collapse but allies showed unity, Zelensky says.
"Russia does not like the alliance around Ukraine, because Ukraine, if it is alone, is an easier target for Russia," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
3:37 PM
(Updated: April 24, 2025 4:37 pm)
'Vladimir, stop!' — Trump 'not happy' with Russia's deadly attack on Kyiv.
"I am not happy with the Russian strikes on Kyiv. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, Stop!" U.S. President Donald Trump said on the Truth Social platform.
7:21 PM
(Updated: April 24, 2025 4:20 pm)
Trump says 'nobody is asking' Ukraine to recognize Crimea as Russian.
"Nobody is asking (President Volodymyr) Zelensky to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory, but if he wants Crimea, why didn’t they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?" U.S. President Donald Trump wrote.
4:08 PM
After Russia's deadly attack on Kyiv, Vance reposts denunciation of Zelensky.
At the time of writing, U.S. Vice President JD Vance has not condemned or commented directly on the strike.
4:06 PM
Romanian presidential candidate Dan backs further support for Ukraine.
"I appreciate what the Romanian state has done so far, the direction... was correct and must continue."
1:12 PM
(Updated: April 24, 2025 3:50 pm)
Irpin mayor reportedly involved in smuggling cars as humanitarian aid; he denies.
Oleksandr Markushyn denied NGL Media's reporting that he was involved in smuggling cars under the guise of humanitarian aid.
3:21 PM
Ukraine's willingness to hold talks with Russia already 'a big compromise,' Zelensky says.
"I believe that we were attacked, our territories were occupied. Tens of thousands of people were killed, many children and adults were buried alive. And the fact that Ukraine is ready to sit down at the negotiating table after a full ceasefire with the terrorists who organized all this on our land is a big compromise," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
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