Source: Trump in an interview with Axios, as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "The Iranians want to meet. They want to make a deal. I think a meeting will probably take place over the weekend. I think we will get a deal in the next day or two."

Details: Several sources familiar with the negotiations told Axios that although significant progress has been made and the US and Iran are now close to agreeing on a three-page peace plan, differences remain on key issues.

Trump said the agreement will "make Israel safe" and stressed that "Israel is going to come out great" at the end of the war.

Background:

• Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that in line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz has been declared fully open for the duration of the truce.
• In response to this announcement, Trump stated that the blockade of Iranian ports will remain fully in force until the US-Iran agreement is implemented 100%.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

Source: Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine (FISU)

Details: Overdue receivables in Russia's corporate sector increased by 26%, from US$79.3 billion to US$100 billion, with their share in the overall structure reaching 10.3%.

"This is the worst figure since the global financial crisis of 2008-2009. The Kremlin is methodically destroying what remains of the business climate in the country," the FISU said.

The total volume of accounts receivable has changed little and stands at US$1.6 trillion, but this stability is misleading. Companies' accounts payable reached US$650.9 billion, while the share of overdue obligations increased from 6.9% to 8.2%.

Payment chains are breaking across the economy, the intelligence service noted.

A key mechanism of self-destruction is the state's interest rate policy. Average business loan rates in 2025 remained at 18-25% annually, while profitability in most sectors stood at 8-12%.

At the same time, short-term deposits yielded 14-16%. The calculation is simple: paying contractors is unprofitable, while keeping funds on deposit is profitable. Companies are increasingly choosing the latter option, shifting the burden onto partners in the supply chain.

The combined financial result of Russian companies in 2025 fell to US$352.1 billion – down 4% in nominal terms and nearly 13% after adjusting for inflation.

"Businesses have become poorer, but their obligations to banks have not decreased," the FISU said.

Small and medium-sized businesses proved the most vulnerable. Thirty-one percent of companies ended the year with significant unpaid receivables from counterparties, primarily state bodies.

In 19% of companies, invoices remained unpaid for more than six months. The state, which is already draining resources through mobilisation and defence spending, is also failing to pay suppliers.

If at the beginning of 2025 problems with settlements between counterparties were named as a key obstacle by 27% of companies, by December this share had risen to 42.3%. The business environment is deteriorating faster than the Kremlin can produce optimistic reports.

Analysts believe non-payments in Russia's corporate sector will increasingly take on a systemic character.

Quote from FISU: "The state, which simultaneously keeps the key rate at a stifling level, fails to meet its own payment obligations, and absorbs human and financial resources for the war effort, is systematically destroying the conditions for normal economic activity."

Background:

• The number of court rulings in criminal cases involving property confiscation in Russia increased from 11,000 to 31,000 between 2023 and 2025 after new legislation expanded confiscation powers.
• The FISU also reported that the budget crisis in Russia's regions made itself felt at the start of 2026 in the form of widespread delays to salary payments in the public sector.
• It also previously reported that sanctions, the loss of external markets and deteriorating global conditions have exposed structural weaknesses in Russia's regional budgets, which are no longer able to meet basic obligations.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter)

Quote: "We are also observing attempts by the occupying forces to regroup – most likely in order to compensate for a shortage of personnel. In this context, it is becoming increasingly clear why military activity in Belarus has increased.

According to intelligence, the construction of roads towards Ukrainian territory and the development of artillery positions are underway in the Belarusian border areas. We believe that Russia may once again attempt to drag Belarus into its war."

Details: Zelenskyy said he has instructed the relevant channels to warn Belarus's de facto leadership that Ukraine stands ready to defend its land and independence.

"The nature and consequences of recent events in Venezuela should serve as a warning to the Belarusian leadership against making mistakes," he added.

Background:

• Earlier, Pavlo Palisa, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said that Russia intends to create a buffer zone in Vinnytsia Oblast from the side of the unrecognised Transnistrian region but currently lacks the forces to do so.
• Zelenskyy had previously stated that Russia wants to establish a buffer zone along the entire border – not only its own border, but Belarus's as well.
• On 23 February, Zelenskyy said Moscow and Minsk were again discussing joint military drills on Belarusian territory.
• On 1 April, self-proclaimed Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko said his country is preparing for war, as it is pointless to hope for peacetime now.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

Source: Zelenskyy during a joint press briefing with King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden in Lviv, as cited by Ukrinform and reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy thanked Sweden for the new programme aimed at strengthening the protection of Ukraine's airspace and developing the country's future air fleet.

Quote: "We are also grateful for the new programme to strengthen protection of our sky, regarding our future modern air fleet of Swedish-made aircraft, Gripen aircraft. We very much hope – and we will discuss this today with His Majesty – that our pilots will begin training already this year."

Background:

• The Ukrainian government expects that a plant of the Gripen's manufacturer could appear in Ukraine in 2033, while the aircraft themselves may arrive "much earlier".
• Zelenskyy had previously said the first aircraft could be delivered as early as 2026.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy said they also discussed possibilities for strengthening Ukraine's Air Force, including with Gripen fighter jets.

They also addressed continued support in the humanitarian sphere and energy assistance, he added.

Quote: "Particular attention was paid to defence cooperation. Ukraine is interested in a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership that will strengthen the defence capabilities of both Ukraine and Sweden. I informed the King about Ukraine's security agreements with countries in the Middle East and the Gulf region, as well as European countries."

Details: The president noted that Ukraine is ready to share its experience and technologies with Sweden and expand cooperation in the defence industry.

Background:

• On 17 April, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden arrived in Lviv on an official visit.

• Sweden recently confirmed its intention to join the agreement on establishing a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
• It was also reported this month that Sweden is to send advanced Tridon Mk2 air defence systems to Ukraine.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

Source: Starmer at a press conference in Paris, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Starmer noted that the defensive mission will focus on mine clearance and protecting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz area.

Quote: "We agreed to accelerate our military planning. I can confirm that along with France, the UK will lead a multinational mission to protect freedom of navigation as soon as conditions allow. This will be strictly peaceful and defensive as a mission to reassure commercial shipping and support mine clearance."

Details: Starmer added that resuming operations along this key waterway must be based on a "lasting and workable proposal".

Quote: "Reopening the strait is a global necessity and a global responsibility. We need to act to get global energy and trade flowing freely again to bring down prices for working people. Our citizens need to see a return to peace and stability, and we will play our full part."

Background:

• Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said he had "received a call from NATO" with an offer of assistance in the Strait of Hormuz and told them to "stay away".
• On 17 April, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that, under the terms of the ceasefire in Lebanon, passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz has been declared fully open for the duration of the truce.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

Source: Trump on his social media platform Truth Social, as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "Now that the Hormuz Strait situation is over, I received a call from NATO asking if we would need some help. I TOLD THEM TO STAY AWAY, UNLESS THEY JUST WANT TO LOAD UP THEIR SHIPS WITH OIL. They were useless when needed, a Paper Tiger!"

Background:

• Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that in line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, passage for all commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz has been declared fully open for the duration of the truce.
• In response to this announcement, Trump stated that the blockade of Iranian ports will remain fully in force until the US-Iran agreement is implemented 100%.
• Trump said earlier that he is seriously considering the possibility of the United States withdrawing from NATO.
• US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US will reexamine the necessity of its NATO membership when the conflict in Iran is concluded.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

Source: DeepState, a Ukrainian group of military analysts, on social media

Details: DeepState reported the Russian advance in Rodynske and in the nearby village of Chervonyi Lyman.

Background:

• DeepState reported earlier that Russian forces were amassing infantry and equipment south of Myrnohrad in order to "finish off the city and its agglomeration".
• On the evening of 15 April, DeepState reported that Russian forces had advanced near three settlements in Donetsk Oblast and two in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Those are Novooleksandrivka, Kotlyne and Udachne in Donetsk Oblast and Huliaipole in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

Source: European Pravda, citing anonymous EU diplomats familiar with the plans for the meeting of foreign ministers

Details: EU foreign ministers will discuss with Sybiha plans to unlock a €90 billion loan that the European Union intends to provide to Ukraine over the next two years.

It is expected that Sybiha will join the ministers' discussion via video link as part of the EU Foreign Affairs Council.

Sources told European Pravda that EU ministers and Sybiha will also talk about the current situation in Ukraine and on the battlefield, as well as the prospects for unlocking the €90 billion loan, taking into account the defeat of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's party in the 12 April elections.

Hungary's next prime minister, Péter Magyar, is expected to take office on 9 May and, according to EU diplomats, may immediately unblock the loan for Ukraine.

For this to happen, Hungary must sign the relevant amendments to the EU's long-term budget for 2021-2027, which can be done even at the ambassadorial level without waiting for a summit of EU ministers or leaders.

Moreover, some sources still hope that the current Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán could lift the veto on the €90 billion package himself if Ukraine repairs the Druzhba oil pipeline and resumes the transit of Russian oil to Hungary (and Slovakia) by 9 May 2026.

EU ministers in Luxembourg will also discuss increasing pressure on Russia, which they believe still shows no willingness to end its war of aggression against Ukraine.

To step up pressure on Moscow, the EU aims to approve its 20th sanctions package against Russia as soon as possible. However, it is currently being blocked not only by Hungary but also by Slovakia, which links its approval to the restoration of the Druzhba pipeline.

As one diplomat told European Pravda, the outcomes of next week's meetings – the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg and an informal summit of EU leaders in Nicosia, Cyprus – will clarify the current positions of Hungary and Slovakia on both the 20th sanctions package and the €90 billion for Ukraine.

European Pravda's sources do not expect any decisions on these issues to be adopted on 21 April.

Background:

• Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha previously expressed hope that the political setback for Viktor Orbán in Hungary could help accelerate Ukraine's European integration, formally open six negotiation clusters, unblock the €90 billion EU loan and strengthen sanctions against Russia.
• It was also reported earlier that Orbán, who is leaving office as Hungary's prime minister, will not take part in the informal meeting of the European Council in Cyprus on 23-24 April.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

Source: Bloomberg, citing incoming Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar, with reference to the CEO of Hungarian state-owned company MOL

Details: Magyar said on 17 April that Zsolt Hernádi had told him supplies would resume and that Hernádi would travel to Russia next week to discuss oil supply issues.

Quote from Magyar: "It's not enough just to restart Druzhba. It needs to get oil too."

More details: The pipeline, which transports Russian oil through Ukraine to Central Europe, has not been operating since January, when it was damaged in a Russian drone strike.

It also became the subject of a political dispute during Hungary's election campaign, when outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orbán accused Kyiv of delaying repairs for political reasons.

Magyar said on 15 April that he expects Orbán to lift his veto as soon as oil supplies resume. Zelenskyy said earlier this week that supplies could resume by the end of April.

Background: Hungary agreed to buy oil from the US during a visit to Budapest by Vice President JD Vance.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

Source: Zelenskyy's press service

Details: The first sanctions list includes 121 individuals involved in carrying out large-scale missile strikes on Ukrainian territory. In particular, these are commanders of long-range aviation units of the Russian Aerospace Forces.

It is reported that since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia has used more than 4,100 air-launched cruise missiles and aeroballistic missiles.

These units carried out strikes on the Okhmatdyt children's hospital on 8 July 2024, a high-rise building in Ternopil on 19 November 2025, the Amstor shopping centre in Kremenchuk on 27 June 2022, as well as energy and transport infrastructure facilities across various oblasts of Ukraine.

Sanctions have also been imposed on commanders of the Russian Navy who launched strikes on Ukraine from surface ships and submarines equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles.

In total, Russia has used more than 1,500 missiles of this type in 160 attacks on Ukrainian cities and hromadas. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories – ed.]

Commanders on this list were involved in strikes on Kyiv's thermal power plants, as well as energy infrastructure facilities in Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Volyn, Mykolaiv and Odesa oblasts. Among them is a commander of the 30th Surface Ship Division, who ensured the combat readiness of the Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen frigates.

Additionally, sanctions were imposed on commanders of missile and artillery units of the ground forces, which carried out strikes using ground-launched cruise missiles and Iskander-M ballistic missiles. In total, Russia has attacked Ukraine more than 1,100 times using these systems.

Commanders of these units organised and coordinated strikes on central Sumy on 13 April 2025, where a Russian missile killed 25 people; on central Chernihiv on 17 April 2024, where 18 people were killed; and on the village of Hroza in Kharkiv Oblast, where 59 people were killed.

"This is one of the first cases where our special services have managed to clearly identify more than 100 specific individuals who directly give orders and carry out missile launches against Ukraine. They are ordinary terrorists who should be sanctioned in all jurisdictions," said Vladyslav Vlasiuk, Presidential Commissioner for Sanctions Policy.

The sanctions package concerning religious figures includes nine individuals who have publicly called for the killing of Ukrainians, openly support Russia's aggression against Ukraine, use religion for propaganda and justify the invasion. These are representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church and affiliated structures.

All necessary information on these two sanctions packages will be shared with partners to synchronise sanctions across their jurisdictions.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

Source: TradingEconomics, a website that provides a variety of economic indicators for many countries around the world

Details: The price of crude oil stood at US$84 a barrel as of 16:10 on 17 April. Brent crude, the benchmark price, was US$88 a barrel.

Oil prices continue to fall at a rapid rate.

Background: Iran announced that it has reopened the previously blocked Strait of Hormuz.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

Source: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on X (Twitter)

Details: Passage has been authorised for all commercial vessels.

Quote from Araghchi: "In line with the ceasefire in Lebanon, the passage for all commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz is declared completely open for the remaining period of ceasefire, on the coordinated route as already announced by Ports and Maritime Organisation of the Islamic Rep. of Iran."

Details: The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically important narrow waterway (about 34-55 km wide) connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Around 20% of global oil exports pass through it. After the strait was blocked, oil prices rose sharply.

As reported by European Pravda, US President Donald Trump announced on his social media platform Truth Social that Israel and Lebanon had reached a ceasefire agreement.

He said he had held "excellent conversations" with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Quote from Trump: "These two Leaders have agreed that in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries, they will formally begin a 10 Day CEASEFIRE at 5 P.M. EST. On Tuesday, the two Countries met for the first time in 34 years here in Washington, D.C., with our Great Secretary of State, Marco Rubio."

Details: Trump added that he had instructed Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, together with Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve lasting peace.

"It has been my Honor to solve 9 Wars across the World, and this will be my 10th, so let's, GET IT DONE!," the US president said.

Background:

• On 12 April, Trump said the US would begin blocking vessels in the Strait of Hormuz and detaining any ship that had paid duties to Iran.
• On 14 April, three vessels that had called at Iranian ports passed through the Strait of Hormuz, testing the US blockade.
• On 15 April, the supertanker Agios Fanourios I, which was heading to Iraq, crossed the Strait of Hormuz after failing to pass into the Persian Gulf over the weekend.
• On 17 April, the supertankers Alicia and RHN, which are under US sanctions for transporting Iranian oil, were also able to pass through the strait.
• The US expanded its blockade of Iranian ports and coastal waters to include all Iranian vessels and sanctioned ships regardless of their location.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

Source: Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov

Quote: "A private air defence unit has for the first time downed a jet-powered Shahed at speeds of 400+ km/h."

Details: Fedorov noted that private air defence groups in Kharkiv Oblast are actively intercepting Shahed-type drones and described this as "a new level of complexity".

"The enemy is scaling up the use of jet-powered drones – faster and harder to intercept. On the president's instruction, we are systematically building a multi-layered air defence system and strengthening protection of the sky," he added.

Private air defence groups are one element of this system, helping protect critical infrastructure.

"The goal of the project is to rapidly scale capabilities without placing additional strain on combat units," Fedorov said.

According to the minister, such groups are currently being formed at 19 companies. They are integrated into the unified command system of the Air Force and operate as part of the overall air defence architecture.

He added that the next stage will involve scaling up the project to increase the number of intercepted targets and improve response speed.

Background: In late March, Fedorov said a government pilot project involving the private sector in air defence was already being implemented and delivering initial results.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

Source: European Pravda, citing Anitta Hipper

Quote: "I would also like to point to the statements that we've also seen where precisely these member states are clearly rejecting this groundless assertion. So there is no evidence to support these claims from what we have seen."

More details: Hipper added that "it is very clear that such statements are part of Russia's textbook of [dis]information".

Quote: "It's also creating pretexts for escalation and also undermining regional security. Nothing new."

Background:

• Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of Russia's Security Council, claimed earlier that Finland and the Baltic states are "open accomplices in aggression against Russia" that allegedly help Ukrainian drones reach Russian territory via their airspace.
• Russian propagandists have been actively spreading the claim that the Baltic states and Poland allegedly allowed Ukraine to use their airspace for strikes on Russian ports around St Petersburg, while Russia's Foreign Ministry said it had "issued a warning" to the Baltic states.
• Russia's Defence Ministry has published a list of what it said are addresses in Europe linked to joint drone production with Ukraine, hinting at possible retaliation.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

Source: Oleksandr Hanzha, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, on social media

Quote: "One person has been killed and two have been injured. The enemy attacked the Myrove hromada in the Nikopol district with an FPV drone."

Details: Hanzha said the man killed in the attack was 72 years old. Another man and a woman were injured and will receive outpatient treatment. A car caught fire as a result of the attack and was completely destroyed.

Background: Russian forces have conducted over 20 attacks on two districts of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, injuring two people. They also struck a transport facility in the city of Dnipro early on the morning of 17 April, causing a fire and injuring one man.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

Source: Skoretskyi in an interview with Ukrainska Pravda

Details: Skoretskyi explained that electronic warfare can neutralise aerial threats before they reach their targets by disrupting control channels, jamming navigation and interfering with video transmission. As a result, Russian drones lose control before reaching their intended targets or miss them by a significant margin.

"Currently, more than 50% of enemy aerial assets get jammed by Ukrainian electronic warfare," Skoretskyi said.

He also addressed the effectiveness of electronic warfare against cruise missiles.

"Many missiles, like drones, rely on navigation fields to guide them to targets. Electronic warfare affects their GPS navigation, causing them to miss by around 100-200 metres or more," he said.

He added that "we create conditions in which a target may be damaged but not destroyed."

Meanwhile, missiles use additional guidance systems beyond GPS navigation, including optical, radar and inertial systems.

"However, due to their high speed, Russian missiles do not have time to properly adjust their course. In effect, we jam the main guidance system and force the missile to switch to a less effective method of locating the target – and miss," Skoretskyi added.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

Source: Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on social media

Quote: "Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has said that we are ready for a leaders' meeting in Türkiye between Zelenskyy and Putin with Erdoğan and Trump taking part."

Details: Sybiha also said that Ukraine recently passed this message to its Turkish partners, since Türkiye "plays an important role in peace efforts".

Background:

• Putin has repeatedly proposed meeting with Zelenskyy in Moscow. The latest such invitation was issued by the Kremlin in February.
• Sybiha called the proposal "unacceptable", while Zelenskyy said Putin's invitation was an attempt to put off meeting him. "Our American partners have informed us that Putin has invited me to Moscow. I believe that if you want to prevent the meeting from taking place, you should invite me to Moscow," he said.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

Source: European Pravda citing SVT

Details: The king has already met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, taking part in a ceremony laying flowers at the graves of fallen Ukrainian soldiers.

Carl XVI Gustaf is also set to visit schools and hospitals in Lviv to learn about people's experiences of war.

This is the first visit to Ukraine by a Swedish monarch since the start of Russia's full-scale war.

Background:

• Sweden recently confirmed its intention to join the agreement on establishing a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
• It was also reported this month that Sweden is to send advanced Tridon Mk2 air defence systems to Ukraine.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!

Source: Dyki Shershni (Wild Hornets)

Quote: "An incredible record: controlling a Sting at a distance of 2,000 km thanks to Hornet Vision Ctrl. The pilot, who was in another country, was controlling a Sting interceptor that was operating in Ukraine's north."

Details: Footage from the video shows the operator working on a laptop that is part of the ground control station used to operate the Sting interceptor.

The team said it has already begun to deploy the Hornet Vision Ctrl system.

"This is what previously enabled Roman Hulk from the Bulava unit to destroy two Shahed drones from 500 km away," Dyki Shershni noted.

The company added that it continues to test new capabilities of the system.

Hornet Vision Ctrl, which enables interceptor drones to be controlled over distances of hundreds of kilometres, was unveiled in late March as part of the Hornet Vision ecosystem.

In January, developers presented the digital Hornet Vision system for Sting interceptor drones. It supports both analogue and digital UAVs, can detect aerial targets at distances of up to 2 km, and features independent communication channels that can be switched during flight.

Dyki Shershni develops and mass-produces FPV drones, aerial interceptors, reconnaissance wings and loitering munitions, ground control stations, remote mining systems, bombing systems and aerial logistics solutions.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!