🇺🇸🇺🇦 Ukraine is set to sign a natural resources deal with the U.S. within hours, aiming to deepen economic ties and secure future military aid through a joint investment fund. Ukraine will reimburse the U.S. under the natural resources deal only for future military aid.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-30/ukraine-ready-to-sign-us-resources-deal-as-early-as-wednesday

🇺🇸🇺🇦 Ukraine and the U.S. will sign a 50/50 joint mineral development fund within 24 hours, PM Shmyhal announced. The U.S. can count future military aid as its contribution, while Ukraine keeps full control over all resources and infrastructure. The fund will invest in Ukraine for 10 years, with zero tariffs on both sides and a U.S. commitment to attract other international partners.

🇺🇦 On April 29, the 429th Regiment of Unmanned Systems ACHILLES repelled a Russian assault near the village of Petropavlivka, in the Kupyansk area. Russians attempted to storm Ukrainian positions but were stopped with the destruction of a BTR, a Ural truck, and a van.

🇱🇹 Lithuanian FM Kęstutis Budris slammed Hungary for blocking Ukraine’s EU path, saying it "hinders and compromises" the process.

"Ukraine's progress is clear. If we play by Hungary’s rules, the EU might as well abandon enlargement entirely," he warned.

🇷🇺 Putin: "Sooner or later, Russia’s relations with Europe will be restored. Many share our position, but are afraid to speak openly."

That’s exactly the pattern: invade, seize land, then 'negotiate' — knowing Europe will eventually reset relations, letting the cycle repeat again.

Amid rising tensions, India has closed its airspace to Pakistan-registered aircraft. This follows Pakistan intercepting four Indian Rafale jets over Kashmir. India has deployed jamming systems and rejected calls for an independent investigation into a recent attack. Pakistan's intelligence suggests an attack could occur within 36 hours

Every destroyed Russian vehicle means no more supplies — ammo, equipment, and provisions for their positions. Drone units within the 56th Motorized Brigade destroyed 2 trucks, 2 cars, a van, and a mortar with ammo.

According to usually well informed channel Dosye Sphiona, 8 Ukrainian drones struck the Murom plant. The strike caused a warehouse with finished products to burn down (likely gunpowder caps), destroyed an admin building, and hit a synthesis workshop for explosives. Four drones fell on the site with no significant damage but the plant’s EW systems were proven ineffective.

Zelensky: “We’re preparing meetings and negotiations — Russia must stop its strikes and end the war.”

He called for a full, unconditional ceasefire for at least 30 days: “We’re ready for any format of talks once the killing stops.”

🇺🇸🇺🇦 At the Vatican, Zelensky and Trump had a surprise talk during the Pope’s funeral. Zelensky urged more pressure on Putin, stood firm on Crimea, and backed a ceasefire. Trump hinted at a tougher Russia stance and pushed for the US-Ukraine subsoil deal.

https://www.axios.com/2025/04/30/zelensky-trump-meeting-tougher-putin

Trump: “Putin is very smart and cunning — he never intended to end the war, his goal was always to take all the territory. I think we might reach a deal, but there’s no guarantee.”

Tucker Carlson is once again parroting Kremlin propaganda—calling Zelensky an enemy of the US, accusing Ukraine of targeting conservatives, and spreading wild claims about arms deals with cartels.

Looks like Moscow's got a new PR guy.

The 30/04/25 SitRep on Ukraine is ready: https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1917668712653508677.html

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🇺🇸🇺🇦 The US says Ukraine made last-minute changes to the subsoil agreement expected to be signed today. Treasury Sec. Bessant: “We’re ready to sign, but Ukraine decided to revise the deal overnight. We hope they reconsider.”

🇺🇸 Trump’s envoy Kellogg revealed that a 22-point peace plan was agreed upon in London, though Ukraine wasn’t happy with all of it. He pointed out that Russia is "pretending" it can win, considering how many soldiers they've lost without making real progress.

🇺🇦🇺🇸 Ukraine has greenlit a deal with the US to establish a Reconstruction Investment Fund, built on 5 key principles: 50/50 partnership, Ukraine retains control over resources, no debt, guaranteed investors, and alignment with EU goals. PM Shmyhal just confirmed this move will drive growth and bring in new technologies.