Despite U.S. President Donald Trump expressing that he was “angry” about his Russian counterpart’s stance, an official from Russia stated that Moscow couldn’t agree to a U.S. suggestion for a truce in Ukraine. SLONUShas further details.
A Russian official has said Moscow cannot accept a US proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine Outgoing German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is in Kyiv as Berlin commits to €130 million more in aid Ukraine receives €3.5 billion of EU support Chinese top diplomat Wang Yi is in Moscow where he hailed Russia as a “friend forever”
These are the most recent updates regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as of Tuesday, April 1, 2025:
Russian representative deems US truce suggestion unacceptable
Russia will not agree to a truce proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration regarding the conflict in Ukraine, as stated by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.
“We consider the models and solutions presented by the Americans with great seriousness; however, we cannot fully endorse them in their present form,” Ryabkov told the Russian journal “International Affairs,” according to statements reported by state-run media on Tuesday.
Ryabkov further stated that according to Moscow, the U.S. proposals fail to tackle Russian worries regarding the origins of the conflict. Russia initiated a comprehensive assault on Ukraine in February 2022 and unlawfully took control of Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula back in 2014.
Following Trump’s comments over the weekend where he expressed being “upset” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Moscow issued a response. Additionally, the U.S. president suggested imposing stricter penalties on imported Russian petroleum products.
The German brigade stationed at NATO’s eastern flank has entered official service.
The 45th Armored Brigade of the German Army officially joined service during a military ceremony held in Vilnius, Lithuania.
The unit’s objective is well defined,” stated Brigadier General Christoph Huber. “Our role is to safeguard the protection, liberty, and safety of our Lithuanian partners stationed at NATO’s eastern frontier.
Berlin committed to maintaining a permanent brigade of around 5,000 troops in Lithuania as a reaction to the threat posed by Russia after its incursion into Ukraine.
The German army said the unit would receive its own unit insignia and would be fully operational in Lithuania by 2027.
In 2024, the initial forces were deployed in Lithuania. The number of German soldiers currently at 150 is set to increase to 500 by the end of this year.
Lithuania borders both the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad and Belarus, which is a strong supporter of Russia.
Lithuania along with other Baltic countries views Russia’s attack on Ukraine as an immediate danger to their own safety and security.
Ukraine gets €3.5 billion in aid from the European Union.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal verified that Ukraine has received €3.5 billion ($3.8 billion) in financial assistance from the European Union.
“Ukraine remains steadfast on the course toward lasting peace, reconstruction, and a European future. I’m grateful to the EU for their strategic confidence and collaboration!” Shmyhal stated in an X post.
The Ukrainian Finance Ministry stated that €3.1 billion will consist of “concessional loans,” which are essentially low-interest loans, whereas €400 million will come as grants.
As part of the EU’s Ukraine Facility program, this financial assistance is designed to contribute €50 billion in total aid up to the year 2027.
So far this year, Kyiv has received €16 billion through this agreement as it persists in defending against Russia’s continuous full-scale invasion that started in February 2022.
Baerbock: Mineral agreement needs to comply with European Union legislation
Following her stated arrival in Ukraine, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock commented on the impasse in ceasefire negotiations, emphasizing the absence of progress in discussions between the United States and Russia.
Baerbock stressed that Europe’s part in aiding Ukraine and facilitating a potential peace agreement is “essential.” Similarly, she highlighted the importance of Europe’s involvement in any mineral agreements, such as the one currently under negotiation between Kyiv and Washington.
“Ultimately, this is our European continent… we naturally maintain communication with all relevant parties,” she stated regarding a possible agreement, emphasizing that it should comply with EU law. This is especially important since Ukraine has submitted an application to become part of the union.
Finland plans to exit the anti-landmine pact
Finland has declared that it will become the most recent NATO country to opt out of the 1997 Ottawa treaty prohibiting the usage of anti-personnel mines.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo verified the information, pointing out the danger posed by nearby Russia.
“By withdrawing from the Ottawa Convention, we can better adapt to shifts in the security landscape through more diversified preparations,” he stated.
Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have likewise recently pulled out of the treaty.
Following the invasion of Ukraine, Finland became part of NATO and now safeguards the organization’s most extensive terrestrial frontier with Russia. Orpo mentioned that Helsinki intends to boost its military expenditure to a minimum of 3% of GDP by 2029 to align with the bloc’s recommendations.
Wang states that Sino-Russian ties advancing to ‘new phase.’
China’s top diplomat Wang Yi has said his country was eager to work with Russia on the “cause of peace” as he prepared to meet his counterpart Sergey Lavrov in Moscow.
Wang stated that they would be elevating Sino-Russian relations to a “new level.”
In Moscow, Wang stated, ‘We will collaborate to make fresh contributions to the advancement of peace and human development.’
He emphasized that “the extensive collaboration between China and Russia in this new era will undoubtedly regain fresh vigor and progress to a higher level.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister states that negotiations regarding the mineral agreement with the US are still in progress.
On Tuesday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Syhiha stated at a press briefing that both Washington and Kyiv continue to collaborate on drafting a mutually agreeable document concerning a mineral agreement between the two nations.
He stated that initial talks had been held regarding a new document, one month following President Donald Trump’s confrontation with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a White House meeting.
“Continuing this process, we will collaborate with our American counterparts to develop a mutually agreeable text for signature purposes,” stated Sybiha.
On February 28, Zelenskyy exited the initial meeting without reaching an agreement, as planned. The upcoming accord is expected to incorporate wording that supports a significant American corporate presence in Ukraine.
Germany’s Baerbock cautions Trump against being misled by Putin
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who is nearing the end of her term, reached Kiev on Tuesday. This visit follows Germany’s commitment to provide an additional €130 million ($140 million) in assistance to Ukraine.
Baerbock briefly addressed her concerns regarding the trip, cautioning the United States against being deceived by what she characterized as “delaying strategies” employed by the Kremlin. Despite numerous compromises offered by U.S. President Donald Trump to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, these efforts have so far failed to produce tangible outcomes in negotiations.
“At the forthcoming meeting of NATO foreign ministers, we will explicitly tell the Americans that we must not fall for Putin’s delaying strategies,” Baerbock stated.
“Putin is the one seeking delays, has no interest in peace, and persists with his unlawful aggressive war,” she said additionally.
“Forever friends,” says China’s Wang Yi to Russian media.
The Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, was scheduled to travel to Russia on Tuesday for discussions regarding Ukraine. This visit comes as China seeks a more active involvement in the peace process and ceasefire negotiations.
The Kremlin stated that Wang was anticipated to have a direct meeting with President Vladimir Putin to talk about “the possibilities for resolving the Ukraine conflict.”
Following his arrival, Wang released a statement indicating that China and Russia would remain “inseparable allies, never adversaries.”
China has faced repeated international criticism for backing Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine, with accusations that it has provided weapons either directly or indirectly to support Russia’s military campaign.
Welcome to our coverage
Germany’s departing foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, made an unexpected trip to Kyiv on Tuesday.
In the meantime, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi is set to meet with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow.
The visits occur as the United States, Russia, and Ukraine discuss the conditions for a possible truce and mineral agreement.