"I am continuing for one year the national emergency with respect to the Russian Federation and the emergency authority relating to the regulation of the anchorage and movement of Russian-affiliated vessels to United States ports," a U.S. Federal Register document says.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on April 16 the closure of the State Department’s office responsible for countering foreign disinformation, citing concerns about free speech and the rights of American citizens.
As the United States and Iran engage in renewed nuclear negotiations, the shadow of Ukraine looms large over Tehran's strategic considerations. Recent indirect talks in Muscat, Oman — facilitated by Omani intermediaries — mark a significant diplomatic step. But Iran’s approach to these talks is deeply shaped by the lessons it
"We have now agreed with the U.S. side to affirm this positive development by a relevant memorandum of intent — we are preparing a formal conclusion of the deal in the near future," Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko said.
The Trump administration officials are dissatisfied with European countries' ongoing support for Ukraine, underscoring the growing rift between Washington and Europe, the Economist reported on April 15, citing undisclosed diplomatic sources.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are set to travel to Paris later this week for high-level meetings on ending the war in Ukraine, the U.S. State Department said on April 16.
The Trump administration has reportedly lowered the payback it seeks under a minerals agreement with Ukraine from $300 billion to $100 billion.
"When the teams are ready, they will present what they have worked out. So far, both sides have ended the meetings in a positive mood," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
"There is an incentive for Russia to end this war and perhaps that could be economic partnerships with the United States," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on April 15.
Key developments on April 15: * Ukrainian forces target Russian missile brigade behind deadly Sumy attack * Witkoff says '5 territories' key to proposed Russia-Ukraine deal after meeting Putin * North Korean artillery now dominates Russia's ammunition supply in war against Ukraine, investigation says * Azov, Khartiia commanders to lead 2 new National Guard
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called the meeting between U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on April 11 "positive and useful."
The U.S. has told the other G7 members it would not support a joint statement condemning Russia's deadly attack on Sumy last week so as not to disrupt peace efforts, Bloomberg reported on April 15, citing undisclosed sources.
"I think it's sort of absurd for (President Volodymyr) Zelensky to tell the (American) government, which is currently keeping his entire government and war effort together, that we are somehow on the side of the Russians," U.S. Vice President JD Vance said.
Some U.S. officials have raised alarms over the direction of the Trump administration's diplomacy. The Wall Street Journal reported that Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg are urging President Donald Trump to resist territorial concessions to Moscow.
The proposed cuts for the next fiscal year would reportedly leave $28.4 billion for all State Department activities, a 48% reduction from the 2025 budget approved by Congress.
"You don't start a war against someone 20 times your size and then hope that people give you some missiles," U.S. President Donald Trump said.
The U.S. still holds an edge in terms of military aid — its 65 billion euros ($74 billion) lead Europe by 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) — but the gap is shrinking as Washington has not allocated a new aid package since Jan. 9, still under the Biden administration.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will visit Moscow for consultations with Russian officials ahead of the second round of nuclear program negotiations, a spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry said on April 14.
According to a copy of the bill seen by the news agency, the legislation lays out significant financial and diplomatic measures to counter Russia’s aggression.
Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna declined to disclose specific details, noting that negotiations are ongoing and "this is not the final round."
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent talks with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff were "extremely useful," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on April 14, according to the Russian state-owned news agency TASS.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had made the offer directly to U.S. President Donald Trump and previously raised it with former President Joe Biden's administration.
"That war is a shame. Millions of people are dead that should be alive. Cities are being destroyed all over Ukraine," U.S. President Donald Trump said.
"Putin's ultimate goal is to revive the Russian Empire and reclaim territories currently under NATO protection... Considering all of this, I believe it could escalate into a world war," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
"The United States extends our deepest condolences to the victims of today's horrifying Russian missile attack on Sumy," U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote on X. The statement did not include condemnation of Russia's actions or calls for increased sanctions on Moscow.
"Reports indicate, as in Kryvyi Rih, cluster munitions were used, increasing the devastation and harm to civilians," outgoing U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink said.
"As a former military leader, I understand targeting and this is wrong," U.S. Special Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg wrote in response to Russia's deadly Palm Sunday missile strike on civilians in Sumy.
U.S. President Donald Trump has extended the national emergency and the associated sanctions against the Russian government for a further year, according to a document from the U.S. Federal Register.
Iran and the U.S. held indirect talks in Oman on April 12, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry.
The editorial office of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Ukraine announced on April 11 that it was reducing its broadcasts and placing a number of it employees on leave as the U.S. government-funded media organization continues to endure "financial challenges" amid the Trump administration's efforts to eliminate grant funding.
"I think the president has been quite clear that he's been continually frustrated with both sides of this conflict," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. "(Trump) wants to see this fighting end, he wants the war to end, and we believe we have leverage in negotiating a deal."
Describing the Trump administration's expansive proposal as "maximalist," the source told Reuters that it was unlikely a new round of technical talks will lead to a breakthrough in negotiations.
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