The acting US ambassador to Ukraine, Julie Davis, is set to step down from her position and retire, according to a US official and the State Department. Her departure comes during a lull in US-brokered talks aimed at achieving a ceasefire and ending Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Davis's Departure and Reported Frustrations
The Financial Times first reported Davis's departure, attributing it to differences of opinion with President Donald Trump's policies, specifically his dwindling support for Ukraine. It is claimed that Davis had grown frustrated with her role over these policy shifts.
However, the State Department pushed back on this characterization, calling it "false" to say she was leaving over differences with Trump. Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated, "Ambassador Davis has been a steadfast proponent of the Trump Administration's efforts to bring about a durable peace between Russia and Ukraine."
Stalled Negotiations and Global Distractions
Negotiations have stalled since the US launched military action against Iran, which caused a global energy shock and diverted Trump's attention from the conflict in Europe. This has created a diplomatic vacuum, with no clear path forward for ending the war.
King Charles Addresses US Congress on NATO
In a historic address to the US Congress, King Charles emphasized that the United States lies at "the heart" of NATO, in what appeared to be a rebuke to Trump's threats to leave the alliance. He highlighted Britain's commitment to the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War.
"From the depths of the Atlantic to the disastrously melting ice caps of the Arctic, the commitment and expertise of the United States Armed Forces and its allies lie at the heart of NATO, pledged to each other's defence, protecting our citizens and interests," King Charles said. He added that defence, intelligence, and security ties are "hardwired together through relationships measured not in years, but in decades."
Europe Needs Ukraine, Says Finnish President
Finnish President Alexander Stubb stated that with Russia posing a threat to all of Europe, the continent may need Ukraine more than Ukraine needs Europe. "Instead of us thinking that Ukraine needs Europe, perhaps we should think that we in Europe need Ukraine more," Stubb said at a joint press conference in Helsinki. He described Ukraine's military as "the largest, most efficient and most modern military in Europe."
Stubb and his Estonian counterpart Alar Karis expressed support for Ukraine's desire to join both the European Union and NATO, even as other members have suggested Ukraine may get a "symbolic membership."
Putin Accuses Ukraine of Escalating Strikes on Civilian Infrastructure
A Ukrainian drone attack caused a major fire at a Russian oil refinery in the city of Tuapse, officials said. This was the third attack on the Black Sea port in less than two weeks. Ukraine's military confirmed it carried out the strike, part of a series designed to disrupt Russia's oil industry and reduce revenue funding the war.
Russian President Vladimir Putin described the attacks as evidence of increased Ukrainian strikes on civilian targets. "Drone strikes against civilian infrastructure are becoming more frequent," Putin said in comments broadcast on Russian television. He noted that regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev reported no serious dangers from the latest attack.
Russia Scales Back Annual Military Parade
Russia will mark victory over Nazi Germany next month with a military parade on Moscow's Red Square, but without displaying military equipment due to the operational situation in Ukraine, the defence ministry said. The parade, traditionally held on 9 May, will mark the 81st anniversary of victory in what Russians call the Great Patriotic War.
"Military personnel from the higher military educational institutions of all types and individual branches of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation will take part in the parade as part of the marching column," the ministry statement said. It added that a column of military equipment will not participate due to the current operational situation.
Ukraine Reports Record Drone Interceptions
Ukraine's defence minister, Mykhailo Fedorov, claimed that Ukrainian forces shot down more than 33,000 Russian drones in March, a record monthly figure since the invasion began. Ukraine's offensive capabilities have also improved, with deep-strike capabilities more than doubling from about 630km to roughly 1,750km behind enemy lines.
This improvement has allowed Ukraine to hit Russian oil installations and manufacturing plants that supply Russia's armed forces, disrupting crucial revenue streams for Moscow's war effort.
