Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump in the Vatican basilica, April 26, 2025
Friday’s Coverage: Kyiv’s Negotiators in US for Talks
UPDATE 1111 GMT:
Ukraine launched a widespread assault inside Russia overnight, setting afire an oil refinery in the Saratov region and two chemical plants in the Samara region.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed interception of 283 drones.
UPDATE 1039 GMT:
Ukraine’s air defenses intercepted 148 of 154 drones launched by Russia overnight. Five drones hit four locations.
Around 90 of the UAVs were Iran-type Shahed attack drones.
ORIGINAL ENTRY: Volodymyr Zelensky pressed again on Friday for a joint drone production deal with the US, following Ukraine’s recent agreements with countries such as the UK, Germany, and France.
Zelensky commented as Ukrainian negotiators, including his Chief of Staff Kyrolo Budanov and National Security and Defense Council head Rustem Umerov, headed to the US for talks with American officials.
As early as a year ago, we proposed a Drone Deal to the United States of America, because it is our key partner.
The agreement is not only about interceptor drones. First and foremost, it includes naval drones and long-range drones that have been proven in the war. It also…
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 20, 2026
Although Ukraine-Russia-US meetings have effectively been suspended by the US-Israel War on Iran and the Kremlin’s reluctance, Zelensky emphasized, Ukraine wants clear dates for such a meeting, or at least approximate ones.”
Meanwhile, “dialogue with the American side must continue in close coordination”, the President said. He noted the “risks” from the Trump Administration’s relaxation of sanctions which had cut the Russian Government’s oil revenues by 47%.
Facing a spike in global oil prices from its war on Iran, the Trump camp has issued waivers until April 11 for countries purchasing Russian oil which is at sea.
Zelensky also noted “work on bilateral documents related to ending the war, future security guarantees, and the reconstruction of Ukraine”.
Russia’s Curbs on Social Media
The President commented on the Kremlin’s tightening restrictions on social media, including limits on the Telegram messenger app.
Russian authorities have sharply curbed the app as it tries to establish a new State network, called Max.
Zelensky said, “It will be more difficult to convey signals to their society, but nevertheless, the work will continue.”
He added:
this is a step backward – a step 100 years back. They might as well switch to paper mail, telegraphs, and horses. That is the kind of civilization they have. Perhaps Putin even likes it. Maybe that is how he feels young again.
