Ukraine, 4 dead hit by Russian drone. EU allocates 1.4 billion for Kiev
"I spoke with British PM Keir Starmer about our coordination with partners to end the war, including communication with the US team," Zelensky writes in X. "We have proposed a ceasefire for the Easter holidays and," Zelensky continues, "we expect the US to support us. The Ukrainian president also writes that Kiev "is making every effort to make diplomacy work," although, "on the Russian side, we see no will"
A day marked by drone attacks, 339 in the night between 31 March and 1 April alone. Zelensky's talks with EU leaders continue, meanwhile Commission allocates 1.4 billion proceeds from Russian assets
A Russian drone killed four people today in the Cherkasy region of central Ukraine after an overnight attack by 339 drones. 'The attacks exclusively hit civilian infrastructure,' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on X. In these minutes Zelensky and his team are reportedly holding online talks with US officials to assess the current state of peace efforts and the prospects for a future trilateral meeting with Russia. In the course of the day, the Ukrainian president also held talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Store. In the afternoon, the EU Commission agreed to allocate EUR 1.4 billion of proceeds from Russian assets to support Ukraine.
Four dead in drone attack
Russia launched a massive daytime drone strike against the western and central regions of Ukraine today, killing at least four people and injuring five others, according to the Ukrainian newspaper Kyiv Independent. "A Russian drone caused irreparable damage in the Cherkasy region. There are four dead in the Zolotoniskyi district. It happened in an open area during an air alert,' Cherkasy oblast governor Ihor Taburets said. The Ukrainian newspaper reported the presence of more than 80 drones in Ukrainian airspace in the early afternoon.
The Starmer interview
"I spoke with British PM Keir Starmer about our coordination with partners to end the war, including communication with the US team," Zelensky writes in X. "We have proposed a ceasefire for the Easter holidays and," Zelensky continues, "we expect the US to support us. The Ukrainian president also writes that Kiev 'is making every effort to make diplomacy work', although, 'on the Russian side, we see no will'.
New Funds for Ukraine
The EU has allocated EUR 1.4 billion to finance Ukraine's state and military needs. This was announced by the European Commission in a statement, explaining that these are windfall profits generated by interest on cash balances from the Russian Central Bank's (Rsb) fixed assets held in the EU. The funds 'will be directed where they are most needed: to support the Ukrainian state, preserve essential public services, and support the brave Ukrainian Armed Forces,' says EU executive chair Ursula von der Leyen, reiterating that the EU's commitment 'to Ukraine's victory and freedom is unwavering'.
