Photo : Ukrainska Pravda
Photo : Ukrainska Pravda
By Padmashree Anandhan
WAR ON GROUND
On 07 April, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported on the presence of Ukrainian troops in Russia’s Belgorod region to protect the borders towns of Ukraine. He said: “We continue active operations in the enemy's border areas and this is absolutely justified. The war must return to where it came from. Our main objective remains the same: to protect our land and our communities in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions from Russian occupiers.” Earlier, the Russian Defence Ministry claimed that Ukraine had increased its attacks on the energy infrastructure across Bryansk, Belgorod, Smolensk, Lipetsk and Voronezh regions which lie in the border areas.
On 07 April, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, stated that a team of negotiators from Ukraine would travel to the US for signing the mineral deal which was stalled for weeks. The US administration had demanded guarantees for large US businesses to be present in Ukraine after the war and mineral rights as an exchange for military aid. Svyrydenko said: “…aim to align on project selection, legal frameworks, and long-term investment mechanisms.” One of the key points of the deal negotiation will be the aid given in exchange of this deal will not be considered as a repayable loan.
THE MOSCOW VIEW
Claims by Russia
On 07 April, Russia’s President Press Secretary, Dmitry Peskov in response to the west for accusing Russia for delaying the peace deal process said that “a whole range” of questions was left to be answered by various parties. Peskov said: “Putin does support the idea that a ceasefire is needed, but before that a whole range of questions have to be answered. These questions are hanging in the air, so far no one has given an answer to them.” According to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, any peace agreement should address Russia’s key questions in terms of future in Ukraine where either Russia or the West will influence the region. Earlier, US President Donald Trump said: “We're talking to Russia. We'd like them to stop. I don't like the bombing. The bombing goes on and on.”
On 07 April, the Kremlin in response to the Ukraine’s accusation on targeting civilians in Kryvyi Rih, denied targeting. Peskov stated that the Russian military focused exclusively on military targets and does not target civilian infrastructure. The Russian Defence Ministry described the attack as targeting a meeting of Ukrainian military leaders and Western instructors. It claimed up to 85 Ukrainian and foreign personnel were killed in the strike. Additionally, Peskov emphasized that Ukraine continued violating a 30-day truce on attacks against energy infrastructure, with Ukrainian forces reportedly using drones and artillery to strike energy facilities in Russian regions, causing damage and power disruptions.
On the same day, the Kremlin also stated that Russia was open to discussions on a full ceasefire to end the conflict in Ukraine, but only if there are guarantees that Kyiv will adhere to it. Peskov emphasised that Putin supports the idea of a ceasefire, but conditions need to be met first, including addressing issues with Kiev’s control over extremist and nationalist units and its plans for further militarization. Peskov also pointed out that while Russia remains in favour of a ceasefire, it must secure its interests. He referred to the 30-day moratorium on strikes targeting energy infrastructure, where Ukraine was observed to have violated the agreement, but he stressed on Russia following it. However, Russian officials have not ruled out retaliation for Ukraine’s actions.
THE WEST VIEW
Responses from the US and Europe
On 07 April, Pope Francis aided four ambulances to Ukraine to use in the front lines. He said: “In this time of Easter rebirth, the pope wanted to make a gesture of closeness in one of the most painful places where the war has been raging for three years, the martyred Ukraine.” Since the war began the Vatican City had given “Food and medical supplies, generators, ultrasound machines, and a van for non-urgent medical situations to hospitals targeted by military strikes.”
References
Elizabeth Schumacher, “Ukraine updates: Kyiv wants to 'align' with US over minerals,” Deutsche Welle, 07 April 2025
“Zelenskyy confirms presence of troops in Russia's Belgorod first time since war began,” Firstpost, 08 April 2025
“Kremlin responds to Kiev’s claim of civilian casualties in Krivoy Rog strike,” RT, 07 April 2025
“Putin supports Ukraine ceasefire – Kremlin,” RT, 07 April 2025
“Pope sends papal almoner to deliver ambulances funded by US Catholics,” United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 07 April 2025