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Russia-Ukraine Conflict

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc will provide Ukraine with roughly 5 billion euros ($5.7 billion) to help Kyiv acquire two-thirds of the two million artillery rounds it requested in March, Bloomberg reported on April 14.

Ukraine: EU To Help Ukraine Acquire Artillery, Germany Offers Taurus Missiles to Kyiv 

United States

Politics

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin for four-and-a-half hours during a visit to St. Petersburg, during which the two discussed the Russia-Ukraine war, Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti reported on April 11.

Russia, U.S.: U.S. Envoy Meets With Putin as Trump Urges Russian Progress Toward Ceasefire

On April 7, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed for the first time that Ukrainian forces were operating in Russia's Belgorod region, the Moscow Times reported April 8.

Ukraine, Russia: Zelensky Confirms Incursion Into Russia's Belgorod Region

Russia's special envoy on economic cooperation, Kirill Dmitriev, said there was a ''positive dynamic'' in U.S.-Russia relations after he held talks with U.S. officials, including U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, in Washington on April 2-3, Reuters reported April 4.

Russia, U.S.: Russian Envoy Praises 'Positive Dynamic' Following Talks in Washington 

The Russian government ordered the conscription of 160,000 men by July 15, the highest target in 14 years, The Moscow Times reported on March 31.

Russia: Moscow Orders Highest Conscription Since 2011

At the end of a summit of European leaders in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron said during a press conference that participants had unanimously agreed to maintain sanctions on Russia and increase military aid to Ukraine, with France pledging an additional 2 billion euros ($2 billion), Le Monde reported on March 27.

Europe, Ukraine: Europe To Maintain Sanctions on Russia, Pursue Reassurance Force in Ukraine

The Kremlin announced that a 30-day moratorium on strikes targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure took effect on March 18, according to newly published details,  AP reported March 26. 

Russia, Ukraine: Energy Ceasefire In Effect Despite Violations

The White House issued separate statements on the outcomes of recent negotiations with Russian and Ukrainian delegations, highlighting agreements with Russia to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea, restore Russia's access to the world market for agricultural goods and fertilizer, and develop measures for implementing a ban on strikes against energy infrastructure between Russia and Ukraine, Reuters reported on March 25. 

U.S., Russia, Ukraine: U.S. Issues Statements on Outcomes of Russia and Ukraine Talks

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A list of countries facing reciprocal tariffs on display April 2 at the White House.

Global Trade

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: The Escalating Global Trade War, South Africa's Coalition Government on the Brink

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U.S.-Iran Relations

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Forecast Webcast

Join our analysts for this webcast recording exploring key topics identified in RANE's 2025 Second-Quarter Forecast.

2025 Second-Quarter Forecast Webcast

Sub-Saharan Africa

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Israel-Hamas Conflict

Social Issues

Intensifying trade wars, a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, continued volatility in the Middle East and consequential elections in key countries will shape the quarter.

2025 Second-Quarter Forecast: An Excerpt

Global Elections

Brazil

Lebanon

Japan

Vietnam

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a joint press conference Feb. 16 at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem. Senior Israeli officials from the security and intelligence ministries will visit the United States to discuss Iran's nuclear program and Israeli border demarcation talks with Lebanon.

The Weekly Rundown: The U.S. and Israel Coordinate on Iran, the U.K. Chancellor Seeks Fiscal Discipline

Spain

Spanish soldiers sit at tables at a makeshift military base in Valencia, eastern Spain, on Nov. 12, 2024, following deadly floods in the region.

Domestic political constraints will impede Madrid's ability to expand its defense budget, which will expose it to U.S. retaliation and limit Spanish participation in any European deployment to Ukraine.

Despite Recent Pledges, Spain Will Struggle To Boost Military Spending

Snapshots

While a ceasefire appears increasingly likely, Russia will likely delay a deal to secure more concessions related to Western military support, a potential peacekeeping force in Ukraine, and Kyiv's NATO aspirations.

How Will Russia Respond to the U.S.-Proposed Ceasefire in Ukraine?

A photo taken on Jan. 15, 2025, shows a muddy track running through a forest in Sumy, Ukraine, that Ukrainian soldiers use to transport American Stryker armored fighting vehicles during Ukraine's ongoing cross-border operation into Russia's Kursk region.

Intensified Russian attacks will likely soon force Ukrainian troops to exit Russia's Kursk border region, which could make Moscow more open to ceasefire talks by weakening Kyiv's negotiating leverage.

Ukraine's Withdrawal From Kursk Appears Imminent Amid Russian Advances

U.S. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and National Security Advisor Mosaad bin Mohammad al-Aiban, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Ukrainian Head of Presidential Office Andriy Yermak and Ukrainian Minister of Defense Rustem Umerovto attend a meeting between the US and Ukraine hosted by the Saudis on March 11, 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Ukraine has agreed to a U.S.-backed 30-day ceasefire with Russia, but its success depends on Moscow's acceptance and broader unresolved issues.

Temporary Truce in Sight? U.S. and Ukraine Push for 30-Day Ceasefire with Russia

Columns

On Geopolitics

A digital map illustration of Russia.

The White House believes that restoring ties with Moscow will help it negotiate a ceasefire in Ukraine and, more importantly, undermine Russia-China relations in the long run. But numerous potential pitfalls mean this approach is unlikely to pay off.

The Rationale and Risks of Trump's Push to Reengage With Russia

Ukrainian flags are flown alongside EU flags outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on Feb. 24, 2025, for the third anniversary of Russia'’s large-scale invasion.

Amid the prospect of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, European leaders are mulling putting boots on the ground in Ukraine to help deter Russian aggression, which could take several forms, each varying in effectiveness and feasibility.

Weighing the Options for a European Deployment in Ukraine

A map of the United States from 1897. While a revisionist America could lead to a more stable world order, it would be much more likely to lead to greater uncertainty, volatility, and conflict.

While a revisionist America could lead to a more stable world order, it would be much more likely to lead to greater uncertainty, volatility, and conflict.

What a Revisionist U.S. Foreign Policy Could Mean for the World

Palestinian Territories

A truck drives toward the Canada-U.S. border crossing in Blackpool, Canada, on Feb. 2, 2025.

The Weekly Rundown: An EU Summit on Ukraine, U.S. Tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

SITUATION REPORTS

Ukraine: EU To Help Ukraine Acquire Artillery, Germany Offers Taurus Missiles to Kyiv

Russia, U.S.: U.S. Envoy Meets With Putin as Trump Urges Russian Progress Toward Ceasefire

Ukraine, Russia: Zelensky Confirms Incursion Into Russia's Belgorod Region

Russia, U.S.: Russian Envoy Praises 'Positive Dynamic' Following Talks in Washington

Russia: Moscow Orders Highest Conscription Since 2011

Europe, Ukraine: Europe To Maintain Sanctions on Russia, Pursue Reassurance Force in Ukraine

Russia, Ukraine: Energy Ceasefire In Effect Despite Violations

U.S., Russia, Ukraine: U.S. Issues Statements on Outcomes of Russia and Ukraine Talks

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