Key events on day 1,158 of Russia’s conflict with Ukraine:
Here’s the current situation on Sunday, April 27:
Conflict
- Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the successful repulsion of a Ukrainian military operation in Russia’s Kursk region after Russian forces reportedly drove out Ukrainian troops from the last village they occupied.
- General Valeriy Gerasimov, the chief of Russia’s general staff, has acknowledged for the first time that North Korean troops have been fighting alongside Russian forces in Kursk, commending their bravery and valor in the expulsion of Ukrainian forces.
Diplomatic Effort and Politics
- The FSB (Federal Security Service) arrested a suspect in connection with the assassination of Russian military officer Yaroslav Moskalik by car bombing. The Kremlin attributes this to Ukraine; however, there has been no formal response from Kyiv regarding the incident.
- Following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at St Peter’s Basilica prior to Pope Francis’s funeral in Rome, U.S. President Donald Trump voiced uncertainty about Putin’s interest in a peace agreement.
- Zelenskyy described the meeting as potentially historic if it leads to the peace he seeks, while a White House spokesperson termed it “very productive.”
- Post-meeting, Trump harshly criticized Putin for targeting civilian areas with missile strikes and urged him to cease such attacks, suggesting the possibility of further sanctions against Russia if necessary.
- In the wake of Trump’s comments, Senator Lindsey Graham confirmed plans to advance bipartisan Senate legislation aiming to impose trade sanctions on countries procuring Russian oil, gas, and other products.
- Following discussions with Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine is ready for an immediate ceasefire and that France, along with the United Kingdom, will continue efforts within the “Coalition of the Willing” to pursue lasting peace in Ukraine.
- Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, after post-funeral talks with Zelenskyy in Rome, expressed hope for tangible steps from Russia demonstrating a commitment to Ukrainian peace efforts.
- U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Zelenskyy addressed progress toward ending the Ukraine conflict during discussions on the sidelines of the Pope’s funeral.
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has assured Zelenskyy of the EU’s support in any negotiations aimed at ending the conflict with Russia, emphasizing the EU’s unwavering solidarity with Ukraine.
