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Zelensky welcomes French, British army chiefs in Kyiv, talks troop deployment

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President Volodymyr Zelensky and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov talk with British Admiral Antony Radakin and French General Thierry Burkhard in Kyiv, on April 5. (President's Office)

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President Volodymyr Zelensky had met on April 5 with British Admiral Antony Radakin and French General Thierry Burkhard who head the Defence Staff of their respective countries.

"There is tangible progress and initial details on how the partner security contingent might be deployed," Zelensky said.

Zelensky also thanked the "U.K. and France for their leadership" in bringing together countries that would be open to deploying troops to Ukraine to monitor a potential ceasefire.

On March 27, French President Emmanuel Macron hosted a summit in Paris where a number of European countries moved forward with plans to send soldiers to Ukraine as part of a "reassurance force" in case of a ceasefire with Russia.

In mid-March, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer presented plans to send 10,000 peacekeeping troops to Ukraine, which is significantly smaller than the 30,000 troops he reportedly pitched to U.S. President Donald Trump during their White House meeting on Feb. 20.

Though Starmer still publicly held out for a coalition deployment to be supported by a U.S. "backstop," Macron said that it could take place "with or without" Washington's involvement.

Russian attack on Kryvyi Rih kills 19 people, including 9 children, injures 68

Russia’s missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih on April 4 killed 19 people, including nine children, according to local authorities. Sixty-eight people were reportedly injured.

The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk

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6:56 PM

Zelensky welcomes French, British army chiefs in Kyiv, talks troop deployment.

"There is tangible progress and initial details on how the partner security contingent might be deployed," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

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4:10 PM

US embassy's response to Russia's Kryvyi Rih attack 'surprisingly disappointing,' Zelensky says.

The U.S. Embassy to Ukraine's response to Russia's attack on the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih on April 4, which killed 19 people and injured 68, was "unpleasantly surprising," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 5.

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'Russia owes an answer to the US' — West pushes Putin on ceasefire deal.

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12:39 PM

European leaders condemn Russia's deadly attack on Kryvyi Rih.

"Another reckless Russian attack struck a crowded residential area... Russia continues to destroy Ukraine, no interest in peace," European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas wrote on X.

11:19 AM

Russian attack on Kryvyi Rih kills 19 people, including 9 children, injures 68.

Russia's missile attack on the Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih on April 4 killed 19 people, including nine children, according to local authorities. Sixty-eight people were reportedly injured.

10:05 AM

Macron to helm EU's talks with Putin, the Telegraph reports.

French President Emmanual Macron is readying to become Europe's point person in negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, per the Telegraph.

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Over 35,000 square kilometers of previously mined territory have been cleared since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said during a government meeting on April 4.

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4:30 AM

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Kremlin negotiator Kirill Dmitriev has been visiting not only the United States but several other countries in an effort to unlock frozen Russian assets, President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a briefing on April 4.

2:59 AM

Trump admin mistakenly informs Ukrainian refugees they must leave US immediately, CBS reports.

Earlier this week, several Ukrainians who entered the U.S. after Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 received emails saying that their legal status would be terminated, CBS News reported on April 4.

8:09 PM  (Updated:  April 5, 2025 2:14 am)

18 killed, including 9 children, over 60 injured in Russian strike on Kryvyi Rih.

Russia launched a ballistic missile attack on Kryvyi Rih in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on April 4, hitting a residential neighborhood, setting buildings on fire and causing severe damage, according to Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the city's military administration.

1:55 AM

Second Russian attack on Kryvyi Rih kills 1, injures 5.

The strike set a fire in a residential area, killing a woman in her home and injuring at least five civilians, according to Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the city's military administration.

12:28 AM

Europe must agree on roadmap to reduce reliance on US defense, Finnish minister tells FT.

Finland’s Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen said that Europe cannot afford a disjointed transition in defense capabilities, which could provide Russia with an opportunity to exploit any gaps in the region's security.

11:02 PM

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"Such attacks cannot be an accident," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 4, pointing out that Russia is fully aware of the target's critical energy role.

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9:18 PM

Ukraine moves to tighten military deferments for students, educators.

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7:45 PM

Germany finances Ukraine's use of Starlink alternative Eutelsat, Reuters reports.

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6:30 PM

Armenian president signs law to begin EU accession process.

Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan signed a law on April 4 to formally begin Armenia's accession process to the European Union, Armenia's presidential press service announced.

5:56 PM

Norwegian government approves increased $7.8 billion Ukraine aid for 2025.

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