The UK scaled back a meeting of Kyiv’s supporters following US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s announcement that he wouldn’t participate. In the meantime, Donald Trump is accusing Volodymyr Zelenskyy of hindering an agreement. For further details, visit Today.nethere.
Government representatives convened in London for a less formal series of discussions aimed at concluding the conflict in Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio withdrew from participation just before these meetings began. Meanwhile, at least nine individuals lost their lives due to Russian attacks in the Ukrainian city of Marhanets. Former President Donald Trump has also voiced criticism towards Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding the insufficient advancements in peace negotiations.
Check below for an overview of key events related to Russia’s ongoing assault on Ukraine on Wednesday, April 23.
Trump states Russia has agreed to a deal and accuses Zelenskyy of causing the delay.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that he thinks Russia has consented to an agreement aimed at concluding the conflict in Ukraine.
Trump also implied that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was hindering progress and that Russian leader Vladimir Putin had been easier to deal with.
“I believe we’ve struck an agreement with Russia, but we must also secure a pact with Zelenskyy,” Trump stated to journalists at the White House.
“I believed handling Zelenskyy would be simpler. However, so far, it has proven more challenging,” the US president stated.
“I believe we have an agreement with them both. I hope they follow through, as I am aiming to save money, and as you know, we’ve invested substantial funds; however, this decision concerns much more than just finance—it’s about human welfare,” Trump stated additionally.
On Wednesday earlier, Trump criticized Zelenskyy for making it hard to resolve the conflict when he posted on Truth Social. This came after the Ukrainian president declined to acknowledge Crimea as part of Russia.
According to American media reports, a proposed U.S. peace plan involves acknowledging Russia’s 2014 annexation of the Crimean peninsula.
At the press conference held in the Oval Office, Trump avoided addressing queries regarding Crimea. He emphasized his desire to conclude the conflict and declared that he remains impartial with no preferences for either Ukraine or Russia.
Earlier that day, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that Trump felt “frustrated,” noting that his “patience is wearing extremely thin.”
“He hopes to witness an end to the killings, yet both parties involved in the conflict must be ready for that to happen, which sadly doesn’t seem to be the case as President Zelenskyy appears to be heading in the opposite direction,” Leavitt stated.
Zelenskyy highlights 2018 US promise on Crimea
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated that he thinks Washington will not abandon a first Donald Trump administration promise that the US will not recognize Crimea as Russian.
Zelenskyy’s remarks follow those made by Vice President JD Vance, who presented the U.S. perspective on a potential peace agreement allowing Russia to retain control over territories in Ukraine it has already seized, such as Crimea.
In a post on X in which he thanked partners who took part in talks in London, among them US, European and Ukrainian officials, Zelenskyy signaled his belief that the White House would remain committed to Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
“Ukraine will always act in accordance with its constitution and we are absolutely sure that our partners in particular the USA will act in line with its strong decisions,” the Ukrainian president wrote.
Zelenskyy attached a 2018 statement by then Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. In it, Pompeo says: “The US rejects Russia’s attempted annexation of Crimea and pledges to maintain this policy until Ukraine’s territorial integrity is restored.”
Russia annexed Crimea in 2014 after sending in unmarked Russian special forces, commonly referred to as “little green men.”
US President Donald Trump has said the Black Sea peninsula “was lost years ago” and “is not even a point of discussion.”
Trump slams Zelenskyy’s Crimea stance in Ukraine peace deal
Donald Trump
says a peace deal to end the Ukraine war is “very close,” while lashing out at President Volodymyr Zelenskyy over his refusal to cede Crimea to Russia.
Trump’s remarks came as Vice President JD Vance warned the US would “walk away” unless Russia and Ukraine strike a deal soon. Envoys from Washington, Kyiv, and Europe met in Britain for scaled-down peace talks, after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pulled out at the last minute.
US media reports suggest Trump is willing to recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea.
However, Zelenskyy stated to reporters earlier this week, “It has been, remains, and will continue to be Ukrainian soil,” further noting that considering it part of Russia would contravene their constitution.
“It’s incendiary remarks such as those made by Zelenskyy that
makes
It’s extremely challenging to bring an end to this war,” Trump shared on his Truth Social platform. “They only extend the ‘killing fields.’”
We are extremely close to sealing this deal,” he stated, “and the individual who has nothing left to lose must now, at long last, MAKE IT HAPPEN.
Diplomats conduct ‘substantial’ yet ‘junior-level’ discussions in London following Rubio’s absence.
Ukrainian, European, and U.S. diplomats gathered in London on Wednesday for several “in-depth technical discussions focused on halting the conflict” in Ukraine, as stated by a representative from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office.
The meetings were supposed to feature high-level talks between respective foreign ministers but were downgraded after the withdrawal at short notice of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, raising questions as to how much progress was really being made.
Rather, the United States was represented by General Keith Kellogg, who served as US President Donald Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, during the meetings with European officials. Also present were representatives from Ukraine, including Foreign Minister Andrii Smybaha, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, and Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.
The British Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, who had originally intended to welcome his fellow ministers, was anticipated to merely “stop by” for the less formal discussions instead.
One diplomat said, ‘The high-level foreign minister meeting won’t take place,’
The Washington Post
Adding, “Without [Steve] Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, Secretary of State Rubio, and the French and German foreign ministers, there’s no justification for the foreign secretary to take charge.”
The talks reportedly focussed on establishing what ceasefire terms Kyiv could feasibly accept after US envoy Witkoff presented proposals at a similar gathering in Paris last week which reportedly appeared to demand more concessions from Ukraine than from Russia.
“We remain absolutely committed to securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and these talks today are an important part of that,” Prime Minister Starmer’s spokesperson said.
The chief assistant to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Andriy Yermak, stated that Ukraine remains dedicated to the peace initiatives led by the United States. He expressed gratitude towards their allies for steadfast backing and shared determination to conclude the conflict swiftly. This statement followed discussions held in London.
The deputy prime minister states that Ukraine is not prepared to ‘accept a frozen conflict.’
Kyiv has dismissed all agreements suggesting acknowledgment of Russia’s control over the annexed Crimea region, according to Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko on Wednesday. She emphasized that “Ukraine is prepared for negotiations but will not capitulate.”
“Any accord must not provide Russia with firmer ground to recuperate and come back with increased brutality,” Svyrydenko posted on X.
“A comprehensive ceasefire – encompassing land, air, and sea operations – must be the initial requirement,” Svyrydenko emphasized. She stated that should Moscow choose to implement a restricted cessation of hostilities, Kiev would reciprocate accordingly. Nevertheless, she underscored that “our citizens won’t endorse a protracted stalemate masquerading as tranquility.”
Reportedly, the U.S. suggested a deal where Ukraine acknowledges Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea, according to anonymous sources involved in the negotiations who spoke with various news organizations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has advocated for an immediate cease-fire without conditions.
The Ukrainian delegation plans to meet with US President Donald Trump’s Ukraine envoy, General Keith Kellogg, along with representatives from the UK and various European nations in London. This encounter comes after a scheduled gathering of foreign ministers had been put off. Upon arriving in London on Wednesday, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Syhiha expressed gratitude towards the UK for its “leadership and support.”
The US will pull out of peace talks if Ukraine and Russia don’t reach deal: JD Vance
US Vice President JD Vance said that Moscow and Kyiv must conclude a deal, or Washington will withdraw from peace talks.
“We’ve issued a very explicit proposal to both the Russians and the Ukrainians, and it’s time for them to either say yes or for the United States to walk away from this process,” Vance told reporters during his four-day visit in India.
Vance’s statement came as envoys from Washington, Kyiv, and European countries met for talks to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine.
“It’s now time, I think, to take, if not the final step, one of the final steps, which is, at a broad level, the party saying we’re going to stop the killing, we’re going to freeze the territorial lines at some level close to where they are today,” Vance added.
“Now, of course, that means the Ukrainians and the Russians are both going to have to give up some of the territory they currently own,” he reiterated.
Vance additionally stated that Russia and Ukraine would require ‘territorial adjustments’ to reach an agreement. Previously this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had indicated that ceding territory was not open for discussion.
Donald Trump proposed an unconditional ceasefire in March, which was approved by Ukraine but turned down by Russia.
The White House welcomed a new agreement by both sides to suspend attacks on energy infrastructure for 30 days, but the Kremlin has stated that it believes this moratorium has ended.
Kremlin says Russia has not been in contact with Kyiv on peace talks
The Russian government said on Wednesday that there were “many nuances” in finding a way to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the positions of different countries involved in peace talks need to be further narrowed in order to come to an agreement.
Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s spokesman, stated that Russia intends to keep negotiating a potential agreement with the United States but remains unconnected with both Europe and Ukraine.
“President Vladimir Putin of Russia stayed receptive to discussions with every party,” Peskov further stated.
The Kremlin commented following the cancellation of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to London and the downgrade of discussions involving the United States, Ukraine, and European officials aimed at concluding the conflict in Ukraine.
Russia reportedly takes out 11 Ukrainian drones — state-run media reports
Russia’s air defense systems intercepted and neutralized 11 Ukrainian drones during the night, according to reports from Russia’s official RIA news agency on Wednesday.
The report stated that during the previous night, the anti-aircraft defenses intercepted and eliminated 11 Ukrainian aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles.
Most of the drones were shot down over the territory of the Tula region.
Leaders convene in London for Ukraine peace discussions following Rubio’s withdrawal
A Ukrainian delegation plans to meet with their allies in London on Wednesday for discussions centered around a “complete and unconditional cessation of hostilities,” according to Andriy Yermak, who serves as the chief of staff to the Ukrainian President, via the platform X.
The Ukrainian team plans to have a discussion with US President Donald Trump’s Ukraine representative, General Keith Kellogg, in London following the postponement of an anticipated gathering of foreign ministers.
The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated he would not participate in the peace negotiations in London, according to an announcement made by State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce on Tuesday.
“I look forward to following up after the ongoing discussions in London and rescheduling my trip to the UK in the coming months,” Rubio said in a post on X.
The cancelation of Rubio’s event has led to the postponement of an expanded gathering involving foreign ministers from Ukraine, Britain, France, and Germany. Nonetheless, discussions scheduled for Wednesday will occur but with participants at a more junior level.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed hope on Sunday that Russia and Ukraine would reach an agreement during the week to conclude their ongoing conflict, which has lasted for three years.
He likewise cautioned that Washington might back out if there were no advancements.
China rejects Ukraine’s claims it supplied workers and drone technology to Russia
On Wednesday, Beijing dismissed Ukraine’s claims that Chinese fighter jets and corporations were directly aiding Russia militarily, calling such allegations “unfounded.”
“China strongly disagrees with baseless allegations and political maneuvering,” stated Foreign Minister spokesperson Guo Jiakun during a press briefing.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday that they had called for an urgent meeting with Chinese Ambassador Ma Shengkun to voice their “grave concerns” regarding China’s role in supporting Russia’s conflict in Ukraine.
In a press conference in Kiev on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy charged China with supplying labor for a drone manufacturing facility in Russia and implied that Moscow might have “appropriated” drone technology from China.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also said that at least 155 Chinese citizens were fighting with the Russian army, two of whom were detained by Ukraine. Also, he had “information” that China was supplying arms to Russia.
The explosions at the military base slowly subsiding: Vladimir’s Governor
The ammunition explosions at a military facility in Russia’s Vladimir region, located east of Moscow, are “slowly coming to an end,” according to regional Governor Alexander Avdeev.
The Russian Defense Ministry stated on Tuesday that the blaze was triggered by a violation of safety protocols, leading to an explosion at an armament storage facility.
Approximately 450 residents living close to the military base were relocated following the blast. Four individuals sustained injuries due to the exploding ammunition.
Schools, streets, and businesses in Vladimir’s Kirzhach district remained shut on Wednesday, according to Avdeev.
He mentioned that “conducting surveys and evaluating the outcomes is necessary.”
On Tuesday, a state of emergency was announced in Vladimir, according to reports from Russia’s official news service TASS, referencing emergency services.
Vladimir Putin proposes halting the invasion of Ukraine at present battle lines — Financial Times
The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, suggested stopping the invasion in Ukraine at the present frontline as part of a potential peace agreement with the U.S. President, Donald Trump, according to reports.
Financial Times
In a report released on Tuesday.
The report referenced unnamed sources characterized as “individuals acquainted with the issue.”
Putin put forth this suggestion when he met with Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg earlier this month.
“We have always talked about this, that we have a positive attitude towards any peace initiatives. We hope that representatives of the Kyiv regime will feel the same way,” Putin told state TV reporter Pavel Zarubin on Tuesday.
According to the
Financial Times
The Russian president stated that he might contemplate withdrawing Moscow’s assertions over portions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhya — four Ukrainian regions that Russia partly controls.
According to the report, the U.S. would agree to Russia’s key requirements such as acknowledging its control over Crimea, which was taken over in 2014, and preventing Ukraine’s accession into NATO.
The newspaper based in London also reported that Kyiv and its European partners have insisted on fully restoring Ukraine’s borders as they were before 2014. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth characterized this demand as “unattainable.”
On Tuesday, during a press briefing, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he is willing to engage in talks with Russia, though this would be contingent upon an establishment of a truce first.
Ukrainian delegates are scheduled to meet with their allies — including the United Kingdom, France, and the United States — in London on Wednesday.
U.S. plan acknowledges territories in Ukraine under Russia’s control, according to reports.
According to Axios, which cited unnamed sources familiar with the matter on Tuesday, the United States has suggested a peace deal that informally acknowledges almost every area seized by Russia following its attack on Ukraine in 2022.
According to the report, the US anticipates receiving a reply to the proposal by Wednesday.
According to the proposal unveiled last week, the United States plans to lift the sanctions placed on Russia since 2014 and intends to transfer control of a portion of the Kharkiv region back to Ukraine, as reported by Axios.
The report added that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant would be considered Ukrainian territory while supplying electricity to both Ukraine and Russia. However, it is to be operated by the US, according to the report.
UK set to host meeting for Ukraine talks
The United Kingdom is initiating a new round of talks on Wednesday, inloving the United States, Ukraine and other European nations amid a renewed US effort to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
The White House said US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff will visit Moscow this week. This will be his fourth trip to Russia since Trump took office.
The meeting in London comes amid reports of US President Donald Trump accepting the recognition of annexed land in Crimea as Russian territory.
Axios, an American news website, reported that the proposal was first raised at a meeting with European nations in Paris last week. Since then, Trump has threatened to “take a pass” on efforts to end the war in Ukraine unless progress is quickly made.
Russian drone strikes overnight kill 9 in Dnipropetrovsk region — local officials
Russia launched an overnight drone strike on Wednesday that hit a bus carrying workers in Ukraine, killing at least nine people in Dnipropetrovsk region’s Marhanets city and targeting civilian infrastructure in east, south and central Ukraine, regional officials said.
“The Russians attacked a bus with employees of the enterprise who were on their way to work in Marhanets,” Mykola Lukashuk, head of the Dnipropetrovsk region council, said in a post on the Telegram messaging service.
Ukrainian authorities reported that Russia conducted a significant drone assault on the central Ukrainian region of Poltava, resulting in injuries to a minimum of six individuals.
The extent of the destruction caused by the assault wasn’t clear right away.
Following hints from Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about their potential agreement to prohibit attacks on civilian infrastructure, the strike occurred.
