At today’s Witkoff-Putin talks, resuming direct Russia-Ukraine dialogue was discussed, per Russian dictator’s aide Ushakov. He added that the talks also brought positions closer on the Ukraine issue and other international matters.

A Russian soldier, wounded in combat, tearfully discovers the harsh consequences of his so-called "heroism" in the "SVO." Now helpless, he urges his comrades not to go fight.

President Zelenskyy agrees with Trump that Ukraine lacks the weapons for a military retake of Crimea, but other levers of influence exist. He stresses Ukraine is open to any talks in any format, but only after a genuine, unconditional ceasefire.

Zelenskyy stated Ukraine will never recognize occupied territories as Russian. Only Ukrainians define their land within constitutional, internationally recognized borders. Per the Constitution, all occupied territories remain Ukraine’s and will never be legally ceded.

Ukrainian fighters demonstrate the capabilities of the Ardal ground drone. It overcomes 30° slopes, 80 cm trenches, 30 cm obstacles. Performs logistics, mining, wounded evacuation. Payload: up to 200 kg, tows 500 kg, 3 tons on asphalt. Endurance: 30 km on single battery, 50 km on dual.

Trump complains Ukraine, headed by Zelenskyy, has delayed signing a critical rare earth metals deal with the US for three weeks. "We hope the deal is signed IMMEDIATELY. Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine are moving smoothly, success seems near!"

A Russian drone strike hit a residential building in Bila Tserkva, near Kyiv: the UAV rapidly dropped altitude and slammed into the city’s housing sector.

A meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump is currently underway in Rome, reports Suspilne, citing the spokesperson for the Ukrainian president, Serhiy Nykiforov.

Updated: The meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump in Rome has concluded. They are now with other leaders at St. Peter’s Square, per reports.

Zelenskyy and Trump agreed to hold further talks after the Pope’s farewell ceremony, per Sky News.

Russians confirm the death of Yevgeny Rytnikov, head of Bryansk Electromechanical Plant’s design bureau and key developer of "Krasukha" EW systems. His car was blown up by an IED near Ukraine’s border on April 18. The device, packed with shrapnel, detonated as he and a colleague entered, killing both instantly.

Russian arrogance turned to tragedy: at a "Victory Day" exhibit of captured Ukrainian equipment in a Russian city, an armored vehicle’s rear hatch fell on a child’s head, killing them instantly. The body was covered with an exhibition banner.

Putin claimed "full control" over Kursk region, congratulating his cannon fodder and remnants of North Korean imports for "crushing imaginary neo-Nazis."