Trump to ABC: "If I hadn’t won, Putin would’ve taken all of Ukraine. I can’t relax on a beach under cameras during a war like Biden did."

He added that Putin "respects him" and is "ready to end the war."

Why does Russia keep refusing a 30-day ceasefire to actually negotiate then?

Russia's seaborne oil exports rise for the 2nd week, hitting 3.26M bpd (+1%). Key factor: 18 previously sanctioned tankers return. Weekly exports now at 23.72M barrels, with $1.33B in revenue. Asia dominates demand, while unclear destinations suggest possible rerouting.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-29/russia-s-crude-shipments-edge-higher-with-the-return-of-sanctioned-ships

⚡️ Europe struggles to even commit 25,000 troops for a potential peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. With armies undermanned and underfunded, a 64,000-strong force remains unrealistic. Focus now shifts to training, air/sea support, and rearming Ukraine.

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/defence/article/europe-uk-peacekeeping-troops-ukraine-6tp2cfgg5

Over 600 DPRK soldiers have died fighting for Russia in Kursk region, Reuters reports. More than 15,000 troops are deployed on Russia's side, with nearly 4,700 injured. In return, Russia provided NK with satellites, drones, and anti-aircraft missiles.

https://www.reuters.com/world/about-600-north-koreans-killed-ukraine-war-south-korean-lawmaker-says-2025-04-30/

Russian media reported drone strikes near Rylsk, Kursk region, last evening. Several explosions heard east of the city, possibly targeting a Russian infantry hideout or a strategic site.

Military rehearsals for May 9 parades are underway in Moscow and other Russian cities. Columns of military vehicles and drones are being moved. These are legitimate targets for Ukrainian long-range capabilities.

This week alone, Russia has launched 375 attack drones on Ukraine, including over 100 in a single night, according to Zelensky. In Kharkiv, more than 45 people were injured, including two children, as residential areas, a hospital, and a school were hit. In Dnipro, one person was killed and another injured. In Dobropillia, a mine building was targeted, damaging buses and cars and leaving one person wounded.

The Russian Investigative Committee claims that Ukrainian intelligence agents tried to assassinate a Russian soldier in Khanty-Mansiysk using an IED. The device exploded prematurely on April 13, injuring five and destroying two apartments. Authorities now link the blast—initially blamed on gas—to an alleged Ukrainian plot involving suspects from Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov says Russia is "ready" for direct talks with Ukraine — not the US — but insists all original goals of the so-called "special operation" must still be achieved.

Empty talk.

Overnight on April 29–30, Russia launched 108 drones, including attack and decoy types, targeting Dnipro and Kharkiv. Ukraine shot down 50 Shahed drones; 22 decoys failed to reach targets.

U.S. envoy Witkoff says Putin sees a rare chance to “recalibrate” relations with the U.S. for the first time in decades. Talks on Ukraine continue, with both sides inching closer to direct negotiations — but peace, says Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will require tough compromises.

https://thehill.com/policy/international/5274195-witkoff-putin-us-russia-relationship-recalibration/

Trump’s first 100 days back in office haven’t gone down well in Ukraine. Just 7.4% of Ukrainians say they trust him now — a huge drop from nearly 45% last November. Almost 90% say they don’t trust him, frustrated with how he’s handling the war and his reluctance to offer real security guarantees.

https://neweurope.org.ua/en/analytics/100-dniv-trampa-i-90-ukrayintsiv/

🇷🇺🤝🇰🇵 “A victory of justice over pure evil” — DPRK military delegation head on the "liberation" of Kursk region. Lt. Gen. Pak Yong Il says it marks a new chapter in the DPRK-Russia combat alliance.

More and more North Korean officials openly confirm their role in the war against Ukraine.