The sanctioned oil tankers have transported over $24 billion in cargo since 2024, according to Downing Street. The U.K. has now sanctioned more shadow fleet vessels than any other country.
Washington and its partners are considering additional sanctions if the parties do not observe a ceasefire, with political and technical negotiations between Europe and the U.S. intensifying since last week, Reuters' source said.
The Kyiv Independent’s contributor Ignatius Ivlev-Yorke spent a day with a mobile team from the State Emergency Service in Nikopol in the south of Ukraine as they responded to relentless drone, artillery, and mortar strikes from Russian forces just across the Dnipro River. Nikopol is located across from the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in the city of Enerhodar.
Peter Szijjarto's announcement came after Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) allegedly dismantled a Hungarian military intelligence network operating in Zakarpattia Oblast.
Moscow and Washington discuss the potential resumption of Russian gas supplies to Europe, among other issues related to the peaceful settlement of Russia's war in Ukraine, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed to the Russian state-run Interfax news agency.
"This is a historic decision, as weapons for Ukraine will be purchased at the expense of the proceeds from frozen Russian assets through the European Peace Fund," Denys Shmyhal said.
U.S President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky openly clashed in the Oval Office of the White House on Feb. 28, 2025. (Saul Loeb / AFP via Getty Images)
U.S. President Donald Trump said on April 25 that he may meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Rome on April 26 during the funeral of Pope Francis.
The two leaders have not met in person since a tense February meeting in the Oval Office, where Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelensky for what they called a lack of gratitude for American support in Ukraine’s fight against Russia.
The Vatican will seat delegations at the funeral in French alphabetical order, meaning Trump and Zelensky will not be seated near each other during the service.
Zelensky said on April 25 that his attendance remains uncertain due to urgent military meetings in Kyiv, including unresolved matters following Russia's April 24 missile strike that killed 12 and injured 87.
"If I don't have time, Ukraine will be represented at a decent level. The Foreign Minister (Andrii Sybiha) and the First Lady (Olena Zelenska) will be there," Zelensky told reporters.
Following the pope's death, Zelensky said: "We grieve together with Catholics and all Christians who looked to Pope Francis for spiritual support."
The President last met Pope Francis on Oct. 11, 2024, during an official visit to the Vatican.
He gifted the pontiff an oil painting titled The Bucha Massacre — the Story of Marichka, which references one of the most infamous atrocities committed by Russian forces during the early stages of the invasion.
Pope Francis repeatedly called for peace throughout the war, though some of his remarks — particularly those equating suffering on both sides — sparked backlash in Ukraine.
On Dec. 15, 2024, he referred to Russia and Ukraine as "brothers," prompting criticism for minimizing Russian responsibility for the war.
Trump's remarks about a potential meeting come as his administration intensifies pressure for a ceasefire in Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Earlier this week, he warned that Washington may withdraw from peace efforts if no progress is made soon. While Kyiv has accepted a U.S.-proposed 30-day truce introduced in March, Moscow continues to reject the proposal and press forward with its offensive operations.
Tim Zadorozhnyy is a news editor at The Kyiv Independent. Based in Warsaw, he is pursuing studies in International Relations, focusing on European Studies. Tim began his career at a local television channel in Odesa. After moving to Warsaw, he joined the Belarusian opposition media outlet NEXTA, starting as a news anchor and later advancing to the position of managing editor.
Tim Zadorozhnyy
