Trump says he has ‘no allegiance’ in Russia-Ukraine war and his own deadline on peace deal – as it happened

Trump says he has ‘no allegiance’ in Russia-Ukraine war
Donald Trump is speaking to reporters as he welcomes Norway’s prime minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, at the White House for talks.
Asked about Norway’s staunch support for Ukraine, Trump says he has “no allegiance to anybody”.
“I have an allegiance to saving lives,” Trump said. “I want to save a lot of lives.”
Asked if he and Støre found any common ground on Ukraine, Trump said the Norwegian prime minister “wants to see people stop dying more than anything else … and he’s going to help us end it.”
Key events
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Closing summary
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Trump says ‘very difficult’ for Ukraine to get Crimea back
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Russian strike on Kyiv used ballistic missile manufactured in North Korea, says Zelenskyy
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Trump says he ‘wasn’t happy’ after Russian attack on Kyiv
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Trump says he has ‘no allegiance’ in Russia-Ukraine war
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Summary of the day so far
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Trump says he has his own deadline on Russian war in Ukraine
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Trump says he thinks Putin will listen to him on stopping strikes in Ukraine
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Poland strongly condemns Russian attacks on Kyiv and Kharkiv
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US to demand peace agreement includes Ukraine’s right to an army – reports
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UK PM says overnight attacks on Kyiv are ‘reminder that Russia is the real aggressor’
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12 dead, 90 injured in Russian attack on Kyiv, emergency service says
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Von der Leyen warns against Russia weaponising energy supplies, using blackmail, as she calls for more cooperation
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Europe must never again risk blackmail from Russia, Starmer says, as he calls for ‘partnership with EU that meets needs of our time’
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Pope Francis’ funeral is loaded with potential for diplomatic awkwardness
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Student killed and three injured in stabbing attack at French high school
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Polish, Israeli presidents join thousands in March of the Living
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‘US anger should be directed at … Putin,’ Macron says, as he urged Russian leader to ‘stop lying’
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Zelenskyy calls for more pressure on Russia after massive Kyiv attack – video
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‘Vladimir, STOP!’, Trump demands, as he says he’s ‘not happy’ with ‘not necessary’ Russian strikes on Kyiv
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Zelenskyy cannot be expected to accept ceasefire while Kyiv is bombarded, Macron says
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Thousands of pilgrims pay respects to Pope Francis
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Zelenskyy’s press conference with SA’s Ramaphosa – snap analysis
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‘Clear message from Kremlin: Russia has no real interest in peace,’ Danish PM says
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Not enough strong pressure on Russia, Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says
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Russia seeks to put pressure, isolate Ukraine, Zelenskyy warns, as he thanks for ‘not easy, but constructive’ London talks
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It is on Russia to issue orders to stop attacks, Zelenskyy says
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South Africa ‘deeply concerned’ about continuing Ukraine conflict, calls for ceasefire, Ramaphosa says
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Russia’s attacks ‘make a mockery’ of its claims about peace, EU’s Kallas says
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Swedish jets intercept Russian plane near Poland
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Britain does not recognise Russian claims to illegally occupied territory of Ukraine, minister says
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Russia claims strikes targeted Ukrainian defence industry
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Zelenskyy meets South Africa’s Ramaphosa in Pretoria
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Russian strikes on Ukraine overnight – map
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Russia blames Ukraine’s Zelenskyy for wrecking peace diplomacy
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Zelenskyy cuts visit to South Africa short after overnight attacks
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215 Russian strikes on Ukraine over night, Ukrainian air force says
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‘Particularly horrible’ attack on Kyiv leaves nine dead, over 70 injured, foreign minister says
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People shelter in the metro as Russian missiles hit Ukraine’s capital – video
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‘Major rescue operation’ after Russian attack, minister says
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Morning opening: Is this your idea of peace?
Closing summary
It’s just past 11pm in Kyiv and Moscow. Here’s a recap of the latest developments:
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At least 12 people were killed and more than 90 people in Kyiv after waves of Russian drones, ballistic and guided missiles struck the Ukrainian capital early on Thursday. The attack was the biggest and most deadly this year. Two children were among the dead. Russia also carried out strikes against Kharkiv and other cities including Pavlohrad and Zhytomyr, as well as in the Zaporizhzhia region. Russia claimed it had targeted Ukraine’s defence industry.
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Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russians of using a ballistic missile manufactured in North Korea in the strike on Kyiv. “If the information that this missile was made in North Korea is confirmed, this will be further proof of the criminal nature of the alliance between Russia and Pyongyang,” he said in an update late on Thursday.
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Donald Trump issued a rare rebuke to Moscow for the Kyiv attack, telling the Russian president in a social media post: “Vladimir, STOP!” The US president is making a renewed push to end the Ukraine war, reportedly on terms favourable to Russia that include recognition of Moscow’s 2014 annexation of Crimea – something Zelenskyy has said he cannot accept.
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Trump said he has “my own deadline” amid speculation that he wants to have a ceasefire agreed before his 100th day in office on 30 April. He claimed he was applying pressure on Putin to end the war, claiming that an agreement by Moscow not to take over the entire Ukraine would be a “big concession”. He added that it would “very difficult” for Ukraine to get Crimea back, adding that he had “no allegiance” in the war.
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A day before, Trump lashed out at Zelenskyy for failing to support a US “peace plan” in which Crimea and other Ukrainian territories would be handed to Russia. Trump accused Ukraine’s president of prolonging the “killing field” and making “very harmful” statements. Zelenskyy says a complete ceasefire is needed before any settlement can be discussed.
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Zelenskyy once again said that Ukraine could not accept US recognition of Russia’s annexation of Crimea. The Ukrainian leader was speaking as he visited South Africa, a trip that he then cut short after the Russian assault on Kyiv. Asked whether he thought the US was becoming impatient with the lack of progress towards a peace agreement, Zelenskyy said the cost of the war continuing was ultimately borne by Ukrainian civilians.
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The Kremlin said Trump’s position “completely corresponds with our understanding and with what we have been saying for a long time”. Maria Zakharova, the Russian foreign ministry spokesperson, said Zelenskyy lacked the capacity to negotiate a deal to end the war – and accused him of trying to “torpedo the emerging peace process at any cost”.
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Keir Starmer said the Russian attack on Kyiv was a “real reminder that Russia is the aggressor”. Starmer told broadcasters: “I think it’s a real reminder that Russia is the aggressor here and that is being felt by the Ukrainians, as it has been felt for three long years now. That’s why it’s important to get Russia to an unconditional ceasefire.”
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South African president Cyril Ramaphosa praised Zelenskyy during his first visit to South Africa for agreeing to an unconditional ceasefire in the war with Russia so that peace talks could begin. “It is a good signal from president Zelensky that Ukraine is agreeable to an unconditional ceasefire so that discussions and negotiations can then ensue,” Ramaphosa told reporters after talks with the Ukrainian leader.
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French president Emmanuel Macron said Putin needed to “stop lying” over wanting peace in Ukraine while continuing to strike the country. “The only thing to do is for president Putin to finally stop lying,” Macron said during a visit to Madagascar. He accused the Russian leader of telling US negotiators “he wants peace” but then continuing “to bombard Ukraine”.
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Boris Johnson issued stern criticism of Trump’s Ukraine peace proposals in one of his first apparent censures of the US president, saying under his terms the Ukrainians would “get nothing”.
Ukraine’s prosecutor general’s office said it has identified the body of Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna, who died after spending months in Russian captivity.
A forensic medical examination revealed signs of torture and ill-treatment, it said.
Roshchyna, 27, disappeared in August 2023 while reporting from Russia-held eastern Ukraine. Her body was discovered among bodies that Russia handed over to Ukraine in February, the office said.
Ukrainian forensic experts were unable to determine the cause of death, but found signs of injuries and possible torture, Yurii Bielousov, head of the war crimes department for Ukraine’s prosecutor general, said on Thursday.
According to the results of the forensic medical examination, numerous signs of torture and ill-treatment were found on the victim’s body, in particular, abrasions and hemorrhages on various parts of the body, and a rib was broken.
Donald Trump, taking questions from reporters in the White House, was asked “what concessions has Russia offered up thus far to get to the point where you’re closer to peace”. He replied:
Stopping the war, stopping taking the whole country. Pretty big concessions.

Jessica Elgot
Boris Johnson has issued stern criticism of Donald Trump’s Ukraine peace proposals in one of his first apparent censures of the US president, saying under his terms the Ukrainians would “get nothing”.
The former British prime minister, a strong supporter of Ukraine who remains close to Ukraine’s president, Volodomyr Zelenskyy, has previously said there is “method in the madness” of Trump’s approach and that he believed the US president could bring peace.
But in a post on X, Johnson criticised the apparent terms of a deal that Trump is pushing Kyiv to accept.
“Putin indiscriminately butchers more Ukrainian civilians, killing and injuring 100 in Kyiv including children,” Johnson posted. “And what is his reward under the latest peace proposals?
1. The right to keep sovereign Ukrainian territory he has taken by violence and in breach of international law. 2. The right to control Ukraine’s destiny by forbidding Nato membership. 3. The lifting of sanctions against Russia. 4. An economic partnership with America. 5. The chance to rebuild his armed forces for the next attack in a few short years’ time.
He added:
As for Ukraine – what do they get after three years of heroic resistance against a brutal and unprovoked invasion? What is their reward for the appalling sacrifices they have made – for the sake, as they have endlessly been told, of freedom and democracy around the world?
Apart from the right to share their natural resources with the United States they get nothing. What is there in this deal that can realistically stop a third Russian invasion? Nothing. If we are to prevent more atrocities by Putin then we must have a long-term, credible and above all properly funded security guarantee for Ukraine – a guarantee issued by the UK, the US and all western allies.
Trump says ‘very difficult’ for Ukraine to get Crimea back
Donald Trump was asked whether he agreed that Ukraine will have to give some territory away as part of a potential peace plan with Russia.
“They’ve lost a lot of territory, and we’ll do the best we can,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
He said Crimea was “handed over” to Russia while Barack Obama was president, adding that “that had nothing to do with me.”
Asked if Ukraine can get Crimea back, Trump replied:
I think that’s going to be a very difficult thing to do.
Norway’s prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre, speaking next to Donald Trump in the Oval Office, praised the US president for his role in pushing for an end to the war in Ukraine.
“Ukraine is under attack,” he said. “They are defending themselves.”
The important thing is that both parties have to know that they have to deliver and they have to feel the pressure to deliver.
He said the US took the initiative to push for a ceasefire and “it needs to be respected”.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his update on X, called for “real pressure” on Russia to stop its attacks on Ukraine.
“Even in the midst of international diplomatic efforts to end this war, Russia continues killing civilians,” Zelenskyy wrote. “That means Putin is not afraid.”
There must be a full and unconditional halt to the strikes, and Russia must agree to it. This war must be ended justly. And to truly guarantee the safety of our people, we need to strengthen our air shield.
“The cooperation of states that value people and life must stop the alliances of murderers,” he added.
Russian strike on Kyiv used ballistic missile manufactured in North Korea, says Zelenskyy
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said preliminary information showed that a North Korean ballistic missile was used during the Russian air attack overnight that killed at least 12 people in Kyiv.
“Debris removal operations are still ongoing in Kyiv following the Russian missile strike,” the Ukrainian leader said in a social media update on Thursday. He said rescuers and emergency services are continuing to work on the scene. Zelenskyy said:
According to preliminary information, the Russians used a ballistic missile manufactured in North Korea. Our special services are verifying all the details.
If the information that this missile was made in North Korea is confirmed, this will be further proof of the criminal nature of the alliance between Russia and Pyongyang.
They kill people and torment lives together – that is the only meaning behind their cooperation. Russia continuously uses such weapons – missiles, artillery. In return, Pyongyang got the opportunity to make its weapons more deadly under real wartime conditions.
The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, said the war in Ukraine is “end-able”. “Both sides just have to agree to it,” he tells reporters at the White House.
We’ve shown them a pathway forward. We’ve discussed those ideas … We’ve shown them the finish line.
Rubio said the Russian attacks on Kyiv overnight “should remind everybody of why their war needs to end. It’s horrible.” He added:
We can see the finish line, but both of them have to get there. We’re going to do everything we can to help them get there, but they have to ultimately say yes.
“We are using a lot of pressure on both,” Rubio said.
Trump says he ‘wasn’t happy’ after Russian attack on Kyiv
Donald Trump says he thinks “we’re going to get this over with” hopefully “soon” in terms of ending the war in Ukraine.
“The next few days are going to be very important for the Ukraine war,” Trump says.
The US president says he “wasn’t happy” with Russia’s attack on Kyiv overnight, which has killed at least 12 people.
Asked whether he would consider imposing additional sanctions on Russia, he says he would “rather answer that question in a week”.
“We’re putting a lot of pressure on Russia, and Russia knows that,” Trump said. He noted also:
It takes two to tango and make a deal too, and [Ukraine is] being hit very hard, and I do believe they want to make a deal.
Trump says he has ‘no allegiance’ in Russia-Ukraine war
Donald Trump is speaking to reporters as he welcomes Norway’s prime minister, Jonas Gahr Støre, at the White House for talks.
Asked about Norway’s staunch support for Ukraine, Trump says he has “no allegiance to anybody”.
“I have an allegiance to saving lives,” Trump said. “I want to save a lot of lives.”
Asked if he and Støre found any common ground on Ukraine, Trump said the Norwegian prime minister “wants to see people stop dying more than anything else … and he’s going to help us end it.”
Here are some of the latest images from Kyiv after at least 12 people were killed and more than 90 injured after Russia pounded the Ukrainian capital with missiles and drones.
Rescuers were still recovering bodies from the rubble over 12 hours after waves of drones as well as ballistic and guided missiles struck the Ukrainian capital early on Thursday.
“Mobile phones can be heard ringing under the ruins,” Ukraine’s interior minister, Ihor Klymenko, said. “The search will continue until everybody is got out.”