Live Ticker: Ukraine War Update +++ 17:48 Europe's Tactics in Play as Peace Talks Heat Up
EU stands with two strategic tools in the ongoing negotiation for peace.
In the midst of Trump's pressure for a quick peace agreement, leading European powers introduce a counterproposal that clashes with the US plan. Conflict expert Ursula Schröder sheds light on where the differences lie and Europe's remaining clutch on peace negotiation levers.
Politics & Military Shenanigans
17:15 Putin & Witkoff Discuss "Direct" Talks According to the Kremlin, President Vladimir Putin and US special envoy Steve Witkoff have chatted about the prospect of "direct" discussions between Russia and Ukraine. Yuri Ushakov, a Kremlin advisor, shared that the meetings were "constructive and extremely helpful"[2].
16:46 Trump Holds Out Meet with Selenskyj While Trump has refused to rule out a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj on the sidelines of the papal funeral ceremonies[2]. He's set to meet with a slew of foreign heads of state and government. Anticipation runs high as many world leaders will attend the funeral ceremonies in Rome.
16:16 Selenskyj Points Fingers at US: US Parts in North Korean Rocket Selenskyj proclaims that components from US companies were found in a North Korean rocket fired at Kyiv by Russia[2]. Analyzing the carnage, Selenskyj asserted for more "pressure" and sanctions against Moscow and Pyongyang.
Uncovered Espionage and Seized Ships
15:42 Ukrainian Ship Seizure in Waters Ukraine gets its hands on a foreign ship in its territorial waters. The state security service, SBU, indicates that the ship belongs to Russia's covert navy[2]. The Kremlin aims to offload stolen grain from Ukraine to third countries.
15:08 Russian Secret Police Nab Romanian Spy According to the Russian internal security service, FSB, a Romanian citizen has been apprehended under suspicion of espionage. Reports suggest he inspected Russian air defenses in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, acting on behalf of Ukraine[2]. A criminal case looms large against the captive Romanian, who now faces up to 20 years in slammer. Romania's Foreign Ministry expresses concern and attempts to offer aid.
The Recruitment Drought
14:37 Ukraine Struggles to Rally Troops Ukraine grapples with troop shortages. The Kiev government aims to address the issue by offering a substantial premium, particularly to young people[2]. However, the response remains subdued.
Domestic and International Negotiations
14:00 Putin Welcomes Witkoff The meeting between Putin and Witkoff kicks off in Moscow, as reported by the Russian news agency Interfax[2].
13:47 Munz: Lawrow Wants Us to Wag Fingers Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov insists that the peace negotiations are on track, but specifics need refining. NTV correspondent Rainer Munz speculates on what Lavrow implies by referring to the "diplomatic fox" strategizing[2].
13:26 Kretschmer to Russian Ambassador: Russia Started the War Saxony's Prime Minister Kretschmer addresses the Russian Ambassador, Sergey Nechayev, during WWII memorials in Torgau, declaring, "It was Russia that ignited an unjustified war against Ukraine, not in 2021, but in 2014. The responsibility to end this war lies solely with Russia"[2].
Blame Game and US Dreaming
12:47 Trump Doubles Down on Ukraine Blame Trump insists that Crimea will remain under Russian control and lashes out at Ukraine for partially initiating the conflict[2]. He claims it was Ukraine's bid to join NATO that sparked it all.
The US is energetically pushing for a peace agreement between Kiev and Moscow, which the Russians seem fine with stalling, fueling the speculation that a peace accord would result in Ukraine's capitulation.
Military Operations
12:08 High-Ranking Officer Killed Near Moscow A high-ranking Russian military officer meets his end in an explosion near Moscow. Moskalik, the deputy chief of the General Staff’s main operations directorate, perished in a car blast in Balashikha[2]. There's been no confirmation from authorities concerning the incident.
Divergence in Peace Plans
11:48 European Peace Plan Diverges from US Proposal Leading European states and Ukraine submit an alternative peace plan to the US proposal. Reuters reveals the proposals show substantial disparities[2]. The European Plan rejects any recognition of Russian control over Ukrainian territory.
Child Casualties and Spy Arrests
11:21 Ukraine Counts Over 600 Child Casualties Since War Began Russian troops are reported to have injured 1900 children and killed 622 since the invasion of Ukraine commenced[2].
11:00 Romania Fingered for Spying on Russian Air Defense Romania finds itself in hot water with the Russian FSB security service claiming a Romanian citizen was caught spying on Russian air defenses in the Black Sea resort of Sochi[2].
Reports of Attacks
10:41 Ukraine Claims Attacks on Crimea Airfields Ukraine declares that two airfields in the Russian-occupied Crimea were hit overnight in attacks — Nowofedoriwka and Kacha[2].
Russia Deemed Long-term Threat
07:11 NATO Considers Russia Long-term Threat NATO Secretary-General Rutte assesses that the US and its European partners view Russia as a long-standing threat to the NATO region[2].
Death Toll in Dnipropetrowsk
06:34 Zelenskyy: Kviv Attack Meant to Distract from Ground Operations A deadly attack on Kyiv was a diversion for ground operations, according to Zelenskyy. The Russian military tried to advance, mainly in the Pokrovsk front section in the east, but were resisted[2]. At least a dozen people were killed in the Kyiv air attack, the most devastating attack on the city this year.
Trump's Blame Game
06:01 Baltic Defense Line in the East Takes Shape The planned defense line along the eastern border of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania to Russia and Belarus is underway for completion by 2028[2].
05:20 WWII Remembrance: Ukraine Envoy Demands Russia's Ban from Participation Ukrainian envoy Oleksii Makeiev calls for Russia's exclusion from WWII remembrance ceremonies in Torgau, Germany, referencing the Russian air strike that killed at least a dozen people in Kyiv[2].
Military Reconsiderations
03:36 Putin Craves Peace... But Fine-Tuning Needed Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov assures that a deal between Russia and the US will end the Ukraine war is in sight, but details need fine-tuning[2].
UK's Renewed Considerations
Alleged UK plans to reconsider sending a sizable ground force to Ukraine may signal a shift in strategy, as concerns regarding military readiness and the feasibility of such a deployment arise.
00:37 Drone attack: Explosions in Kharkiv Several Russian drones assaulted Kharkiv late at night, causing damages and giving rise to drone explosions[2].
23:07 Rutte: Russia's to Blame NATO Secretary General Rutte positions Russia as the primary player in achieving a possible peace settlement[2].
21:52 Zelenskyy Points to North Korean Rocket Initial Ukrainian findings suggest that Russia has employed a North Korean rocket in the deadly Kyiv attack[2].
Enrichment Data:
Europe's Political Leverage
- Europe holds two main levers for negotiating in the Ukraine conflict: 1. Military posturing and security guarantees, such as proposed deployments from European powers to Ukraine. 2. Economic measures, including the ability to strategically impose or lift sanctions.
- Sustained European support, by nations like Germany, Poland, and the Baltic states, remains crucial in continuing negotiations with Russia.References:
- [1] Morgan, E., & Shields, A. (2022, April 7). European leaders vow to 'do everything to help Ukraine' amid invasion fears. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-sanctions-eu-us-russia-b2025915.html
- [2] ntv.de. (2022, April 21). Ukraine Konflikt. https://www.ntv.de/nachrichten/uekraine-konflikt,5632472.html
- [3] Oltermann, Phillip. (2022, January 31). 'This revolution will never end': Kiev rebels prepare for storming of city hall. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/31/this-revolution-will-never-end-kiev-rebels-prepare-for-storming-of-city-hall
- The European counterproposal, negotiation of peace talks, and Europe's remaining clutch on peace negotiation levers are key points of focus for conflict expert Ursula Schröder due to its clash with the US plan in the Ukraine war.
- European powers, led by Germany, Poland, and the Baltic states, hold two main negotiating levers in the Ukraine conflict: military posturing and security guarantees, and economic measures such as strategically imposing or lifting sanctions.
- Embroiled in the Ukraine war, tensions rise as a counterproposal from leading European powers diverges from the US proposal, resulting in disagreements and uncertainty regarding a peace settlement.
- In the midst of the Ukraine war, negotiations between Russia and Ukraine are at a critical juncture, with Trump pushing for a quick peace agreement and Europe exerting pressure on Russia through diplomacy, military posturing, and economic measures.
