**US Special Envoy to Visit Moscow as Ukraine Faces Pressure on Controversial Proposal**
This week, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to visit Moscow, according to Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov. The visit comes at a critical time for Ukraine, which is facing mounting pressure to respond to a controversial US proposal that reportedly includes provisions for recognizing Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and barring Kyiv from joining NATO.
The proposal, presented by senior Trump administration officials during talks in Paris on April 17, has sparked concerns among Ukrainian and European officials. If Kyiv, Washington, and its European allies align, the plan could be officially presented to Moscow. Ukraine is expected to deliver its formal response during a follow-up meeting in London on April 23.
Witkoff, who has visited Russia several times this year and met with President Vladimir Putin on three occasions, has been criticized for promoting Kremlin-aligned positions. This includes the idea of trading Ukrainian territory for peace. US President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about reaching a deal, but Washington has warned that it may end its mediation efforts if talks stall.
**Ukraine Faces Pressure to Respond to Controversial Proposal**
The proposal has sparked concerns among Ukraine’s allies and domestic officials. Kyiv has proposed a separate 30-day truce focused on halting long-range drone and missile strikes on civilian infrastructure. Putin has said the Kremlin needs to “look into” the proposal, but Russia continues to reject a joint US-Ukraine proposal for a ceasefire.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of violating its symbolic one-day Easter ceasefire on April 19, citing nearly 3,000 breaches. The conflict has taken a heavy toll on civilians, with reports of Russian forces attacking the southern city of Zaporizhzhia and injuring four people.
**India’s Imports of Russian Crude Set to Hit Record High**
As tensions escalate between Russia and Ukraine, India is set to import record-high volumes of Russian crude oil in April. The imports are likely to hit 2.15 million barrels per day, the highest since May 2023, according to Bloomberg.
**US Global Credibility Under Trump Takes a Hit**
Concerns about the US global credibility under President Donald Trump have been shared by roughly one-third of Republicans. This comes as Russia continues its military campaign in Ukraine and pushes for concessions from Kyiv.
**Other Developments**
* American actor Sean Penn met with Ukrainian soldiers stationed in Kropyvnytskyi, showing support for the country’s military.
* Japan’s Kyushu University has agreed to provide Ukraine’s military intelligence agency with synthetic aperture radar imagery to aid in its fight against Russian forces.
* Concerns about the energy situation remain high in several Ukrainian cities, including Kryvyi Rih and Kherson.
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