Newsletter 11/04/2025
A daily news digest covering important war, political, economic, and cultural topics in Ukraine
TOP
U.S., Ukraine resume talks on minerals deal – NYT
The United States and Ukraine have resumed negotiations on a natural resources agreement, which U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly views as a way for Ukraine to “recoup” the irreversible aid it has received from the U.S., as passed by both chambers of U.S. Congress.
“A Ukrainian delegation was in Washington on Friday for a new round of talks about a deal that would give the United States a major stake in Ukraine’s natural resources,” this was reported by The New York Times.
The current discussions mark the first meeting of officials since the White House presented a revised draft agreement that revived tough demands Kyiv had earlier rejected. These two-day talks are expected to be mostly technical.
Ukraine, allies launch EW coalition
Ukraine and its partners announced the launch of the Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) Coalition during a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said this in a post on Facebook, according to Ukrinform.
"Today, during the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, together with my colleague, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, we officially announced the launch of the new Electromagnetic Warfare Coalition. This marks the ninth coalition formed within the UDCG. Ten countries, including Ukraine, have joined the initiative and signed a joint Letter of Intent," Umerov said.
Umerov outlines new aid packages following UDCG meeting
A total of 51 countries have united to support Ukraine, with air defense now being the top priority.
“Following the task set by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, we continue active work with partners to strengthen our air defense. We have achieved concrete results that will allow us to protect our skies from Russian attacks. Since the previous meeting, our partners have announced more than 21 billion dollars in security assistance to Ukraine. This is the result of true unity of the free world. 51 countries have united today to help Ukraine,” emphasized Ukraine’s Minister of Defense, Rustem Umerov, on Facebook following the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.
The Defense Minister noted that following the latest meeting, partners announced new support steps. Thus, in 2025, Germany will deliver four IRIS-T air defense systems and 300 interceptor missiles for them, 30 Patriot missiles, 15 Leopard-1 tanks, 25 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 100,000 additional artillery shells. The total value of Germany’s additional aid through 2029 will reach EUR 11 billion.
The United Kingdom pledged GBP 450 million in aid, including hundreds of thousands of drones, radar systems, and repair of previously supplied equipment.
Norway will provide 100 million pounds to help fund the UK’s package. “In total, Norway has increased its military support for 2025 by five billion euros. It also announced one billion euros in assistance, including for ammunition and air defense. Belgium announced a military aid package worth one billion euros. Denmark announced its 25th military aid package worth nearly 900 million euros,” Umerov informed.
Umerov also noted that Lithuania plans to allocate EUR 20 million for ammunition, Estonia will soon provide 10,000 artillery shells and military rations, while the Netherlands will allocate EUR 150 million to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense
Rocket attack on Dnipro: number of victims rises to nine
In Dnipro, the fire that started yesterday due to a missile strike was extinguished only in the morning.
Next Ramstein meeting may take place in Ukraine – Umerov
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense is considering the possibility of holding the next meeting of leading countries and participants of the cabability coalitions within the Ramstein format in Ukraine, involving representatives of the Ukrainian Defense Forces and the domestic defense industry.
Ukraine needs 10 Patriot systems: Zelensky addresses Ramstein participants from Kryvyi Rih
“Today, I’m speaking to you from Kryvyi Rih. This city lives under almost constant air alerts – because of drones or Russian missiles. The most dangerous threat is ballistic missiles. When there’s a ballistic threat, people have just a few minutes to reach shelter. Just imagine what that’s like – sending your child outside, or just walking through the city, knowing that a missile can hit within 5 minutes of launch. It’s constant danger,” Zelensky said.
He reminded the world that exactly one week ago, a Russian ballistic missile strike killed 19 people — including nine children — on an ordinary city street in Kryvyi Rih.
Zelensky stressed that many other peaceful cities across Ukraine — Dnipro, Nikopol, Poltava, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Kharkiv, Odesa, Chernihiv, and more — are also under constant attack. The President called for urgent support in the form of at least 10 Patriot missile defense systems.
Trump urges Russia to "get moving" in peace settlement process
"Russia has to get moving. Too many people ere dying, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war – a war that should have never happened, and wouldn’t have happened, if I were President!!!" the White House leader emphasized.
This is not his first statement advocating for the immediate establishment of a ceasefire and an end to the war in Ukraine — a message Trump has been promoting frequently in recent times.
UDCG members pledge EUR 21B in military support to Ukraine – Healey
The participating countries of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), which met today in Brussels, pledged to allocate EUR 21 billion in military assistance to Ukraine.
UK Defense Secretary John Healey noted that the UK would spend GBP 4.5 billion this year in military support for Ukraine, the highest-ever level. Today, the UK announced the allocation of GBP 350 million to provide direct support to military personnel on the front line. This package includes radar systems, anti-tank mines, thousands of new drones, as well as an additional GBP 150 million to repair and maintain battlefield equipment in Ukraine. This will help restore about 3,000 Ukrainian vehicles that could be put back into the fight against Putin.
Netherlands to allocate EUR 150M to strengthen Ukraine's air defense
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said that air defense was one of the Netherlands' key priorities, especially in light of increasingly intense aerial attacks on Ukraine. He referenced President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent appeal for greater air defense support and noted that the Netherlands would continue delivering F-16 fighter jets as part of its ongoing assistance.
He also recalled that the Dutch government had earlier announced EUR 500 million in funding for a drone initiative deemed crucial for Ukraine's defense, and added that the new EUR 150 million package would be directed specifically toward air defense systems. This, he said, would further help Ukraine protect its skies.
According to Brekelmans, the air defense project is being carried out in cooperation with the United Kingdom.
The minister said that several weeks ago, the Netherlands had pledged an additional EUR 3.5 billion in support for Ukraine, of which EUR 2 billion is expected to be disbursed within the current year.
Zelensky on Ramstein meeting: We need to address shortage of air defense systems
"Today, a new Ramstein meeting is taking place in Brussels. Our priority is air defense, and it is very important that our partners hear us," Zelensky said.
He noted that "Ukrainians know how to be precise." "We have already learned to shoot down a significant amount of Russia's weapons of terror. We just need to address the shortage of air defense systems to make our sky protection stronger," he said.
Sybiha: It’s month since Russia rejects 30-day ceasefire proposal, escalates terror
It has been one month since Russia rejected the complete 30-day ceasefire proposed by the United States. Instead, Russia set conditions and demands and continued to escalate terror.
"Today marks exactly one month since Russia refused to accept a full interim ceasefire proposed by the United States. Exactly one month ago, on March 11th in Jeddah, Ukraine agreed to such proposal. Unconditionally. Russia refused to agree, instead putting forward conditions and demands. At the same time, Russia continued to escalate its terror against civilians," emphasized Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha.
The Minister noted that from March 11 to April 11, Russia launched almost 70 missiles of various types, over 2,200 Shahed drones, and more than 6,000 guided aerial bombs at Ukraine.
Norway officially joins drone coalition for Ukraine
Norwegian Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik signed the respective document in Brussels on Friday, April 11.
The drone coalition was launched in February 2024 during the 19th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. The idea was initiated by Latvia, which now co-leads the effort alongside the United Kingdom.
Currently, the coalition includes 18 countries, including Latvia, the United Kingdom, Australia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Estonia, Italy, New Zealand, Canada, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Germany, Sweden, and Ukraine.
Envoy Witkoff visits Russia again for talks with Putin – media
U.S. President’s special envoy Steve Witkoff has arrived in Russia, where he is scheduled to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Friday, April 11.
Some USD 580M in aid to Ukraine to be announced at Ramstein meeting — Reuters
The countries participating in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (also known as the Ramstein format) will announce a new military aid package for Ukraine worth $580 million during their meeting on Friday, April 11.
Ukrainian SOF capture 14 Russian military in Kursk region, including three officers
Over the past few days, Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces (SOF) have captured 14 Russian military personnel, including three officers, during missions carried out in Russia’s Kursk region.
War
Stefanchuk on demobilization: Parliament must avoid repeating Central Rada's 1919 mistake
When considering the draft law on demobilization, the Verkhovna Rada will rely on the opinion of the country's top military leadership in order not to make the same political mistake as the Ukrainian Central Rada did in 1919.
General Staff reports 75 battles on frontline since morning, third of them in Pokrovsk sector
Russians strike Kupiansk with glide bombs, injuries reported
CinC Syrskyi stresses need to enhance protection of weapons, military equipment amid Russian offensive
Border guards destroy Russian tank, several UAZs with drones in Vovchansk sector/Video
AFU tell about operation that forced enemy to stop attack on Pokrovsk
Defense
Estonia to provide 10,000 artillery shells to Ukraine
Estonia is set to transfer 10,000 155mm artillery shells and 750,000 food rations to Ukraine either this week or next week.
EU commits EUR 23B in military aid to Ukraine for 2025 – Kallas
As of this year, EU member states have already committed to providing EUR 23 billion in military aid to Ukraine, exceeding last year's contributions. However, more must still be done to provide Ukraine with the urgent support it needs.
Ukrainian, Norwegian defense ministers discuss ammunition, advanced weapons supply
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and his Norwegian counterpart Tore O. Sandvik have discussed the equipping of Ukrainian forces with modern weaponry and the delivery of high-quality ammunition to the front lines.
Politics
Ambassador Brink stepping down due to disagreements with Trump Administration — FT
U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink is stepping down from her role amid escalating political disagreements with President Donald Trump’s administration.
Brink is a career diplomat who was initially appointed as U.S. Ambassador to Slovakia by Trump during his first term in office.
Later, she was appointed as the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine by President Joe Biden.
Sources familiar with Brink's decision to resign said she faced growing pressure from senior officials in the Trump administration, who questioned her willingness to support their Ukraine policy.
The State Department has already commented on Brink’s resignation.
"Ambassador Brink is stepping down. She's been the ambassador there for three years – that's a long time in a war zone," a State Department spokesperson said in a statement.
According to the sources, her resignation also came amid a deterioration in working relations with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, although they emphasize this was not the reason behind her decision.
The White House and the State Department declined to comment on the political differences between the Trump administration and Brink.
Parliament preparing draft legislation on post-war elections – Speaker
Elections to be held in Ukraine after the end of martial law do not fall under any classification outlined in the Constitution. Therefore, a separate legislative act will be required to organize so-called "post-regular" elections.
Society
Prince Harry arrives in Ukraine and meets with victims of Russian aggression
British Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, arrived on a visit to Ukraine and met with victims of the Russian war of aggression at the Superhumans rehabilitation center in Lviv on Thursday.
During the visit, Prince Harry met with patients and medical professionals, as well as with the Minister of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine Natalia Kalmykova.