EU may separate Moldova and Ukraine accession, Russia views ceasefire as talks trigger: April 29 highlights

Journalists' investigation: Victoria Roshchyna's body was returned from the Russian Federation without some organs

An investigation into the death of Ukrainian journalist Viktoria Roshchyna involved 45 journalists from 13 international media outlets. They conducted over 50 interviews with former Russian prisoners and others familiar with the system.

Among their findings, Roshchyna’s body was returned to Ukraine showing signs of an autopsy and missing some organs.

EU considers Moldova's separation from Ukraine in accession process

The European Union is considering advancing Moldova’s EU membership process separately from Ukraine’s due to Hungary’s blocking of Ukraine’s integration efforts, said EU Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Marta Kos.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and Justice Minister Olga Stefanishyna announced that Ukraine and Hungary agreed to hold regular consultations starting May 12 to address Budapest’s concerns about national minority rights.

Lavrov: The ceasefire proposal is the beginning of direct negotiations

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed Russia’s proposed ceasefire for Victory Day in the Russia-Ukraine war signals the start of direct negotiations with Kyiv without preconditions.

However, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov effectively dismissed Ukraine’s proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, saying it would require addressing certain “nuances.”

Bloomberg, citing Moscow sources, reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin, after talks with U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, continues to demand full occupation of four Ukrainian oblasts.

Zelenskyy: Russia is preparing something in Belarus this summer

During a speech at the Three Seas Summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of a potential threat from Belarus, where Russia plans military drills this summer.

“Look at Belarus—this summer, Russia is preparing something there, using military exercises as cover. That’s how its new attacks usually start. But where this time? Ukraine? Lithuania? Poland?” Zelenskyy said.

Recruitment center personnel without combat experience will be sent to combat zones

The General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces announced that personnel from Territorial Recruitment Centers without combat experience or health restrictions will be transferred to units operating in combat zones.

Their positions will be filled by individuals who have been wounded or concussed and are unfit for combat duties due to health conditions.

Evacuation announced in several villages in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast

The Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration ordered a mandatory evacuation in the Mezhova rural territorial community, located just over 10 kilometers from the front line.

The evacuation covers the villages of Kolona Mezhova, Novopidhorodne, Raypole, and Sukhareva Balka.

NBU recognized Poroshenko's business reputation as "not impeccable"

The National Bank of Ukraine declared the business reputation of former President and lawmaker Petro Poroshenko, a significant shareholder in the International Investment Bank, as “imperfect.”

The decision was based on sanctions imposed on Poroshenko by Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council. Poroshenko accused President Zelenskyy of ordering a “crackdown on the opposition.”

Defense plant officials detained for supplying defective mines

Ukraine’s Security Service detained two officials from a Dnipropetrovsk Oblast defense plant and two accomplices for allegedly supplying over 120,000 defective mortar rounds to the front.

Documents show the plant was contracted to deliver 120mm mortar rounds worth over 11 billion hryvnias ($265 million), but expert analysis found them substandard.

Other news

• Details emerged about Russian General Moskalyk, who was killed in a Moscow Oblast explosion.
• The trial for the murder of Iryna Farion was postponed again due to suspect Zinchenko’s poor health.
• A dead newborn was found near trash bins in Rivne.
• Ukraine repatriated a Ukrainian woman and her children held in Syria’s Roj camp for six years.