Live:Ukraine:
❗️Trump has extended the sanctions imposed on Russia by Biden since 2021.
The U.S. President extended for one more year the executive orders issued by Biden that declared a national emergency in relations with Russia and allowed for the imposition of sanctions against the Russian Federation.
“The harmful foreign activities of the Russian government… continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States.
For this reason, the national emergency must continue in effect beyond April 15, 2025,” the statement reads.
The message also mentions that Russia continues to threaten free elections and democratic institutions in the U.S. and its allies.
🔹 President Zelensky has shared a video showing the first moments after the Russian strike on Sumy.
He called on the international community to respond firmly to the attack, stating that “Russia wants exactly this kind of terror and is dragging out this war.”
“Words have never stopped ballistic missiles or air bombs. What’s needed is the kind of treatment Russia deserves—as a terrorist. I thank everyone who stands with Ukraine and helps us defend lives,” Zelensky emphasized.
🔸 Russia struck Sumy with cluster munitions, according to the head of the regional administration, Volodymyr Artiukh.
This tactic was meant to maximize casualties, he said. The largest number of victims were in a trolleybus:
“It was a death trolleybus. Unfortunately, there were many people inside, including children. As of now, 21 people have been killed and 84 injured, including seven children.”
🔹 “This crosses every line of decency.” That’s how Trump’s special representative, Keith Kellogg, reacted to Russia’s strike on civilians in Sumy.
“As a former military commander, I understand what targeting means — and this is wrong. That’s why President Trump is doing everything he can to put an end to this war,” he wrote.
🔸 In Sumy, the death toll from the Russian attack has risen to 34, including two children.
Additionally, 117 people have been reported injured.
🔹 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, following the Russian missile strike on Sumy, called for decisive measures to urgently achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine.
“Urgent and determined steps are needed to achieve a ceasefire. Europe will continue to engage with partners and maintain strong pressure on Russia until the bloodshed ends and a just and lasting peace is achieved on Ukraine’s terms,” said the President of the European Commission.
🔸 Poroshenko reveals how Trump once asked him, “Whose is Crimea?”
The former president of Ukraine recounted how, during one of their meetings in Trump’s first presidential term, the U.S. leader asked him whether he could get an honest answer to a question. Poroshenko said “yes.” Trump then leaned in and asked, “Tell me, is Crimea Russian?”
Poroshenko replied that Crimea is Ukrainian and asked what prompted the question. Trump responded that a Russian friend had told him the peninsula should belong to Russia, Poroshenko said.
“He’s not easy to deal with,” Poroshenko added about Trump. “But now is the time for diplomacy.”
🇺🇸 On behalf of the United States, Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed condolences to the victims of the Russian attack on Sumy.
“This is a tragic reminder of why President Trump is dedicating so much time and effort to ending this war and achieving lasting peace,” he wrote.
📌 The Russian strike also drew a reaction from Richard Grenell, Trump’s close special envoy for special assignments.
“An attack on the holy day of Palm Sunday?! Dear God,” he wrote in response to a post by the U.S. news agency AP about Russia’s attack on Sumy.
🔹 “It was terrible.” Trump reacted to the Russian strike on Sumy and the dozens of casualties.
“They [the Russians] told me it was a mistake, but I think it’s horrible — this whole war is horrible… Millions of people are dead who should be alive,” said the U.S. President.
He added that if “the election hadn’t been rigged, the war wouldn’t have started — Putin would’ve never launched this war.” Trump emphasized that this is Biden’s war, not his.
▪️Russian forces struck Sumy with two ballistic missiles in broad daylight on April 13, killing 34 people and injuring 117.
🔸 “Russian narratives dominate in the U.S.” Zelensky invited Trump to Ukraine so he could understand what Putin is doing.
“How can anyone witness our losses and suffering, see what the Russians are doing, and still believe they’re not the aggressors, that they didn’t start this war? This speaks to the enormous influence of Russia’s information policy on America — on U.S. politics and politicians,” he emphasized.
However, he added that Kyiv respects the U.S. position, but before any decisions or negotiation formats are made, Ukraine is asking Washington to look at the murdered Ukrainians and the destroyed civilian infrastructure.
🔹 Zelensky believes that Trump’s “peace through strength” approach only works one way — against Ukraine.
The U.S. halted military aid to Ukraine and suspended intelligence sharing with it. Only then did it propose a ceasefire. In contrast, Russia received such a proposal without any prior pressure.
“It turns out that ‘peace through strength’ works only in one direction — ours. And I believe that’s an unfair approach,” the Ukrainian president stressed.