Today's Contents
Just The Facts:
- Zelensky says 'emotions have run high' in London peace talks
- Trump says Zelensky's statements on Crimea harm peace talks with Russia
- Shmyhal, Bessent meet in Washington, discuss US financial assistance for Ukraine in 2026
- Ukraine unveils Centralised Procurement Organisation to ensure transparency in reconstruction
- Norway to provide additional NOK 2.4 billion for Ukraine's reconstruction via World Bank
- Korea's Posco International plans to build $106 million RDF-fueled CHP plant in Odesa
Here's What They Think:
- The Kyiv Independent: Ukraine faces limited options if Trump recognizes Crimea as Russian
- The Guardian: Trump doesn't care about Ukraine's sovereignty, but a deal with Putin
Sober Second Thought:
- Most Ukrainian companies unprepared for cyber crises, survey finds
Rebuilder's Social
- "Negotiate, not surrender," posts Svrydenko. Meanwhile, DateDriven highlights UAV profits and Ukraine Facility Platform talks of shifting agricultural strategy.
Zelensky says 'emotions have run high' in London peace talks
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday that "emotions have run high" during the peace negotiations in London earlier the same day, noting that Ukraine will always act in line with its constitution.
"Emotions have run high today. But it is good that 5 countries met to bring peace closer. Ukraine, the USA, the UK, France and Germany. The sides expressed their views and respectfully received each other's positions. It's important that each side was not just a participant but contributed meaningfully," Zelensky wrote in a post on X.
"The American side shared its vision. Ukraine and other Europeans presented their inputs. And we hope that it is exactly such joint work that will lead to lasting peace. We are grateful to partners. Ukraine will always act in accordance with its Constitution and we are absolutely sure that our partners in particular the USA will act in line with its strong decisions," Zelensky concluded.
He attached to the post a 2018 statement from former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who served during Donald Trump's first term as US president, calling on Russia to end its occupation of Crimea. Russia seized the Ukrainian peninsula in 2014 and subsequently annexed it.
Earlier on Wednesday, Trump criticized Zelensky over his statement that Ukraine would not recognize Russia's occupation of Crimea, saying that the comment is harmful to peace talks with Russia and that no one is asking him to recognize Crimea as Russian territory.
However, according to multiple media reports in recent days, a US proposal to end the war in Ukraine involves, among others, recognizing Russia's ownership of Crimea and acknowledging the Kremlin's de facto control over the areas it currently holds in four Ukrainian border regions.
The negotiations in London on Wednesday took place at a lower level after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio cancelled his trip there. The Ukrainian side was represented by Minister for Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha, Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov, and Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak.
Apart from the meeting with European countries, Ukraine's representatives also held a meeting with the US Special Envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg, Ukraine's presidency said in a press release.
During the meeting with Kellogg, "the Ukrainian side conveyed its position, stressing that an immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire must be the first step toward initiating negotiations aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace," as per the statement.
Trump says Zelensky's statements on Crimea harm peace talks with Russia
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday criticized Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky over his statement that Ukraine would not recognize Russia's occupation of Crimea, saying that the comment is harmful to peace talks with Russia.
"It's inflammatory statements like Zelensky's that makes it so difficult to settle this War. He has nothing to boast about! The situation for Ukraine is dire — He can have Peace or, he can fight for another three years before losing the whole Country," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
Zelensky on Tuesday reiterated that Ukraine would not legally recognize Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea. "There’s nothing to talk about here. This is against our constitution," Zelensky said.
"Nobody is asking Zelenskyy to recognize Crimea as Russian Territory but, if he wants Crimea, why didn't they fight for it eleven years ago when it was handed over to Russia without a shot being fired?," Trump wrote.
However, according to multiple media reports in recent days, a U.S. proposal to end the war in Ukraine involves, among others, recognizing Russia's ownership of Crimea and acknowledging the Kremlin's de facto control over the areas it currently holds in four Ukrainian border regions.
Asked about Trump's comments on Truth Social, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said that Zelensky was going in the wrong direction.
"The president's frustrated. His patience is running very thin. He wants to do what's right for the world. He wants to see peace. He wants to see the killing stop, but you need both sides of the war willing to do that. And unfortunately, President Zelensky seems to be moving in the wrong direction," Leavitt told reporters at the White House.
Earlier on Wednesday, U.S., Ukrainian, and European officials met in London for negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio cancelled his trip there, which led to the meeting taking place at a lower level.
Unnamed sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that the downgrading of the conference came after Ukraine drafted a paper for the Europeans on Tuesday in which it said there would be no discussions on territorial issues until "a full and unconditional ceasefire".
US Vice President JD Vance threatened to abandon negotiations on Wednesday, telling reporters during a visit to India: "We've issued a very explicit proposal to both the Russians and Ukrainians, and it's time for them to either say yes or for the US to walk away from this process. We've engaged in an extraordinary amount of diplomacy, of on-the-ground work."
Shmyhal, Bessent meet in Washington, discuss US financial assistance for Ukraine in 2026
Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal met with US Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent in Washington on Wednesday to discuss economic cooperation between the two countries and financial assistance to Ukraine for 2026, Ukraine's government said.
"The Government of Ukraine undoubtedly supports the conclusion of an agreement on economic partnership between the American and Ukrainian peoples and the creation of an investment fund for reconstruction. Our negotiating teams continue to work actively, as envisaged by the signed memorandum. The negotiating teams will report on their progress by 26 April," Shmyhal said in a press release.
Last week, the U.S. and Ukraine signed a memorandum of intent on the so-called minerals deal, reaffirming their commitment to conclude the agreement. The memorandum outlines plans to establish a reconstruction fund as part of the broader economic partnership. Both sides aim to finalize the agreement by April 26, as per the memorandum.
On Wednesday, Shmyhal and Bessent also agreed to start working on a free trade area between Ukraine and the U.S, according to the press release.
"We appreciate the constructive tone of the negotiations between our technical teams and look forward to further fruitful dialogue for the benefit of the Ukrainian and American people," Shmyhal stated.
Shmyhal also met in Washington with representatives of American businesses, promoting Ukraine as an investment destination, according to a separate press release by the government.
Ukraine unveils Centralised Procurement Organisation to ensure transparency in reconstruction
Ukraine on Wednesday officially presented the Centralised Procurement Organisation (CPO) of the Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development, as it looks to ensure transparency in reconstruction efforts, the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development said.
"We often talk about the speed of reconstruction, but ensuring its quality and the transparent, efficient use of resources is equally important. This is precisely why the (CPO) … was established. It's a tool that ensures equal conditions for all market participants, standardized procedures, transparent tenders, modern procurement management, and independent oversight," Minister for Communities and Territories Development Oleksii Kuleba said in a press release.
Kuleba also said that the CPO establishment is a "message to Ukrainian and international companies that it's possible to work honestly and effectively in Ukraine. It's also a signal to international partners – we're not just asking for help; we're building systems capable of managing it responsibly."
The Agency for Restoration will directly oversee CPO operations, which will include handling the procurement of goods and services such as construction, road maintenance, and project documentation preparation, as per the statement.
Procurements will mainly support the regional recovery services of the Agency for Restoration. The CPO may also conduct procurements on behalf of other construction clients, including local governments, regional military administrations, and state-owned enterprises.
"The CPO is essentially a marketplace for state reconstruction procurement. It's one element of a new reconstruction architecture that focuses on two things: efficiency and trust from international and Ukrainian companies that can participate in rebuilding. This is crucial for the new philosophy of Ukraine's recovery and for making the process as effective as possible," Head of the Agency Serhii Sukhomlyn said.
Launched in 2023, the Agency for Restoration implements infrastructure reconstruction projects, including housing and social infrastructure, roads and bridges, energy grid protection, frontline infrastructure, water main construction, and borderline infrastructure, among others.
Norway to provide additional NOK 2.4 billion for Ukraine's reconstruction via World Bank
Norway's government said on Wednesday it will make a new contribution of NOK 2.4 billion ($228 million) to the World Bank's Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Fund (URTF), to support Ukraine's reconstruction efforts.
"Norway's increased support to the World Bank's Ukraine Relief, Recovery, Reconstruction and Reform Fund will help to ensure that critical services such as education, health care and energy supplies can be sustained. This is essential in order to maintain the resilience of the Ukrainian people and promote Ukraine's reconstruction and reform efforts," Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said in a press release.
URTF is a multi-donor trust fund that directs financial support toward Ukraine's urgent wartime needs, including reconstruction efforts and emergency response.
Norway played a key role in launching the URTF and remains its largest donor. It made an initial contribution of around NOK 1 billion in 2022 and has since provided over NOK 9 billion, accounting for more than a third of the fund's total commitments, as per the statement.
Norway's support to the URTF is allocated under the multi-year Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine.
In March, Norway's government said it had decided to add NOK 50 billion in aid for Ukraine for 2025, to the already budgeted NOK 35 billion, bringing the total to NOK 85 billion.
Korea's Posco International plans to build $106 million RDF-fueled CHP plant in Odesa
South Korea's Posco International plans to build a $106 million combined heat and power (CHP) plant in Ukraine's port city of Odesa, which will run on refuse derived fuel (RDF), Ukraine's Ministry of Communities and Territories Development said on Wednesday.
The plant's capacity is planned at 12 MW of electricity and 40 MW of thermal energy, the ministry said in a press release. The project's payback period is estimated at 6.5 years.
The Ukrainian and Korean sides have already started preparing the project concept paper, which must be officially submitted by Ukraine's government, as per the statement.
A subsidiary of steelmaker POSCO, Posco International is one of the largest Korean trading corporations, active in energy, agro-industry, steel production, and ecology.
The Kyiv Independent: Ukraine faces limited options if Trump recognizes Crimea as Russian
Ukraine will be pushed to a corner if US President Donald Trump decides to recognize Crimea as part of Russia and decides to withdraw from peace negotiations, Chris York, an editor at the Kyiv Independent, wrote in an op-ed.
In this case, Ukraine will be left with diplomacy and will have to lobby against any potential recognition of Crimea, York wrote, noting that Ukraine would have to rely on Europe for military support - with U.S. aid in doubt - which is unlikely to fully fill the gap soon.
The Guardian: Trump doesn't care about Ukraine's sovereignty, but a deal with Putin
US President Donald Trump doesn't care about Ukrainian sovereignty and safety, nor the transatlantic alliance, but a deal with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, The Guardian wrote in an editorial.
Putin is focused, detail-oriented, and plays the long game to benefit Russia. Trump cares more about declaring a win than the actual outcome and often gives away key points early in talks, the report said. Both leaders, however, prefer bilateral talks to a wider diplomatic process, leaving Europeans and Ukrainians rightly worried.
Most Ukrainian companies unprepared for cyber crises, survey finds
62% of Ukrainian companies do not have a clear cyber crisis response strategy, despite the number of cyberattacks on the country rising by 70% in 2024, reaching 4,315, a recent survey conducted by communications agency Calibrated showed.
More than half of the organizations anticipate a moderate or high chance of facing cyber or information attacks in the next year, yet 30% rarely or never conduct risk assessments, according to the survey.
Only one-third of companies say they are fully prepared to handle a cyber crisis, with trained response teams and designated spokespersons in place. Additionally, 39% lack a crisis communication plan, and 41% do not conduct practical cyber crisis training.
The survey found that companies that have already experienced cyberattacks tend to be significantly better prepared. These organizations are more likely to conduct regular training and have integrated crisis communication strategies.
Phishing emails (71%) and data breaches (70%) top the list of perceived threats, followed by bot attacks in comment sections (43%), employee account hacking (41%), and attacks on brand social media accounts (40%).
Key obstacles to effective cyber response include rapidly evolving threats (57%), lack of in-house expertise (37%), limited training budgets (38%), and insufficient threat monitoring capacity (30%).
Among the most in-demand tools for building resilience are AI-powered threat monitoring systems (34%) and scenario-based crisis simulations (32%). Learning from companies that have already faced cyber incidents was also considered valuable by 21% of respondents.
The survey gathered responses from communication professionals, executives, IT, and security specialists across 63 companies, spanning from large enterprises to small and medium-sized businesses.
Social Media Posts
Negotiate, Not Surrender
Yulia Svyrydenko, first deputy prime minister and economy minister of Ukraine, commented on peace talks in a post on the social media outlet X, saying that "Ukraine is ready to negotiate—but not to surrender."
"We will never recognize the occupation of Crimea. And if NATO membership is not granted, Ukraine will require binding security guarantees—ones strong enough to deter future aggression, and clear enough to ensure lasting peace."
Agricultural Strategy Shift
The Ukraine Facility Platform, an NGO supported by the Mission of Ukraine to the EU with a focus on efficient use of the €50 billion Ukraine Facility, posted suggestions for "rethinking agricultural strategy."
It suggest Ukrained "shift from rigid compliance toward incentive-based systems" as well as "collaborate on building capacity for protein production, clean resources, and biofuels" and "implement precision farming and drive digital transformation across the sector.
Drone Profits
DataDriven Research & Consulting, the research provider and consultancy, posted that the top eight Ukrainian UAV manufacturers last year generated a combined $150 million in net profit.
"The full-scale war, urgent military demand, and lightning-fast adaptability of local producers have made UAVs one of the most dynamic sectors in Ukraine’s defense and tech landscape. This is no longer just about innovation — it’s a battlefield advantage and a rising export asset."
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