NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Friday he is "confident" that Ukraine is ready to make territorial gains against Russia, as Ukrainian armed forces prepare for a new offensive. Stoltenberg spoke from Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where 50 countries attended a meeting hosted by the United States on Friday to discuss coordinating further support for Ukraine. Read our blog to see how the day's events unfolded. All times are Paris time (GMT+2).
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9:48pm: Russia declares Bulgarian journalist a 'foreign agent'
Russia on Friday added a Bulgarian journalist and longtime Kremlin critic to its list of "foreign agents" and ordered his arrest, in a rare use of the label against a non-Russian citizen.
Bulgarian Christo Grozev, 53, is the lead Russia journalist for the Bellingcat investigative website, and played a key role in its investigation into the poisoning of opposition politician Alexei Navalny. He has has extensively covered Moscow's offensive in Ukraine.
Late last year, Grozev was put on a wanted list by Russian authorities, and the FSB domestic security service has also accused him of helping Ukrainian intelligence.
Grozev is not currently in Russia.
5:31pm: Belarus prosecutors seek 10-year jail term for activist
Belarusian prosecutors on Friday requested a 10-year prison term for an opposition activist who helped coordinate mass protests against President Alexander Lukashenko's regime in 2020.
Roman Protasevich, the editor of the opposition Telegram channel Nexta, was arrested in 2021 after his Ryanair flight was intercepted by a fighter jet and forced to land in Minsk.
After his arrest, which shocked aviation authorities worldwide, Protasevich is believed to have been coerced by authorities into issuing apologetic statements on state television. As his trial opened in February, he said he was "fully guilty," in a video published by state news agency Belta.
Prosecutor Natalia Sokolova also sought lengthy jail terms for two other exiled contributors to the Nexta channel, with a request for Stepan Putilo to serve 20 years in prison, and 19 years for Yan Rudnik.Sokolova said the shorter sentencing request for Protasevich was because he had "fulfilled the terms of cooperation."
5:26pm: Abrams tanks will make difference in Ukraine war but no silver bullet, says US general
The US decision to provide Ukraine with 31 advanced M1A2 Abrams tanks will make a difference in the war but is no silver bullet, US Army General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said on Friday.
Milley's remarks came as the United States announced that Abrams tanks to be used to train the Ukrainians will arrive in Germany in the coming weeks.
"I'm biased, but I think the M1 tank's the best tank in the world ... I do think the M1 tank, when it is delivered, will make a difference," Milley, the top US general, said after a meeting of Ukraine's allies at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. "But I would also caution there's no silver bullet in war."
5:26pm: Badminton keeps sanctions on Russians and Belarusians, archery drops its ban
One Olympic sport, badminton, said on Friday it was keeping its ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes, as another, archery, said it had decided in principle to let them compete.
As Moscow's assault on Ukraine stretches into a second year, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has recommended allowing athletes from Russia and ally Belarus to compete as neutrals in upcoming international competitions.
While the IOC has said it will make a final decision closer to the start of the Games in July 2024, sports federations have had to make decisions in recent week on who can take part in their qualifying events for Paris.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) said in a statement on Friday that its decision "reflects BWF's core intention to preserve the integrity of badminton competitions and ensure the safety of all athletes".
World Archery, meanwhile, released a statement saying it took the decision at a meeting on Thursday “to explore a timetable for the return of these athletes under strict eligibility conditions."
3:37pm: Frustration with Macron as EU plan to buy ammunition for Ukraine delayed
EU counterparts blamed France on Friday for delaying approval of a plan for the bloc to jointly buy desperately-needed ammunition for Ukraine.
In March, EU leaders agreed to source ammunition for Ukraine from the "European defence industry" and Norwegian producers, as Oslo is also part of the scheme.
But European diplomats complained that France, a fierce protector of its own defence industry, is now insisting that this means manufacturing must be entirely done inside the EU.
That would exclude shells made in plants outside Europe, such as one majority-owned by German giant Rheinmetall in Australia.
EU foreign ministers are expected to discuss the issue at a meeting in Luxembourg on Monday and diplomats said they hoped a final agreement could be reached next week.
3:29pm: Germany announces deal to repair tanks for Ukraine at hub in Poland
Germany, Poland and Ukraine signed an agreement on Friday for a hub to repair Leopard tanks used in Ukraine to fight Russian forces, Germany's Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said at a meeting of allies at the Ramstein air base.
All parties agreed on how to finance such a hub, which costs around 150-200 million euros ($384 million) a year and could begin operations at the end of May, Pistorius told reporters.
3:28pm: NATO chief confident Ukraine ready to make offensive gains
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Friday he is "confident" that Ukraine is prepared to retake more territory as Kyiv readies for a new offensive against invading Russian forces.
"I'm confident that they will now be in a position to be able to liberate even more land," Stoltenberg told journalists in Germany when asked if Ukraine has what it needs to successfully execute the offensive.
2:36pm: Moscow court seeks arrest of Ukrainian spy chief Budanov, says state media
A Moscow court on Friday issued a warrant for the arrest of the head of Ukrainian military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, accusing the spy chief of organising "terrorist attacks" inside Russia, state-owned news agency RIA reported.
RIA cited the court as saying that Budanov was accused of offences related to terrorism and arms smuggling. The move against him was announced "in absentia", in an apparent acknowledgement that Budanov cannot be immediately detained.
Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) previously named Budanov as the organiser of an explosion that damaged the bridge linking Russia to the annexed Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea in October.
2:33pm: Kyiv says situation in city of Bakhmut 'under control'
Ukraine said on Friday Russian forces had made some advances in fierce fighting for the eastern city of Bakhmut but that the situation was under control.
Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar made her comments shortly before Russia's defence ministry said its assault troops were now fighting in western parts of Bakhmut, the last part of the city held by Ukrainian forces.
"The situation is tense, but under control," Malyar wrote on the Telegram messaging app. "Decisions are being made according to military expediency.
1:27pm: Kremlin says not planning new Ukraine mobilisation drive
The Kremlin said Friday it did not plan a new mobilisation drive for its military operation in Ukraine, amid media reports that students were being served draft notices.
"There is no talk in the Kremlin about some sort of mobilisation wave," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
Peskov said that work was ongoing to modernise and digitalise Russia's draft system in efforts related to "the constitutional obligation of Russian citizens to perform compulsory military service."
Last week Putin signed off on legislation to create a digital draft system that could bar men from leaving the country amid Moscow's offensive in Ukraine.
The bill was rushed through parliament and even Kremlin-friendly lawmakers complained it was adopted under a veil of secrecy.
Those who fail to show up at the enlistment office following receipt of the electronic draft notice will not be able to take out loans, register property or work as individual entrepreneurs.
12:16am: Britain sanctions Russian figures linked to jailing of Putin critic Kara-Murza
Britain on Friday sanctioned a Russian judge and four others linked to the arrest of British-Russian Kremlin critic Vladimir Kara-Murza, who was jailed for 25 years this week.
"Russia’s treatment and conviction of Vladimir Kara-Murza once again demonstrates its utter contempt for basic human rights," British foreign minister James Cleverly said.
"The UK will continue to support Mr Kara-Murza and his family. I call on Russia to release him immediately and unconditionally."
12:10am: Ukraine allies vow strong backing at key Ramstein talks
International backing for Ukraine holds "strong and true", US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said Friday, as he opened a meeting in Germany with allies to discuss further support for Kyiv.
On the eve of the talks gathering representatives from 50 countries, President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Western allies to send more fighter jets and long-range missiles to help repel Russian troops.
"Our support for the forces of freedom in Ukraine holds strong and true," Austin said as he began the discussions.
11:29am: US to begin training Ukrainian troops on Abrams tank
The United States will begin training Ukrainian forces on how to use and maintain Abrams tanks in the coming weeks, as it continues to speed up its effort to get them onto the battlefield as quickly as possible, US officials said Friday.
The decision comes as defence leaders from around Europe and the world are meeting at Ramstein Air Base, in the ongoing effort to coordinate the delivery of weapons and other equipment to Ukraine. An announcement is expected later on Friday.
According to the officials, 31 tanks will arrive at Grafenwoehr Training Area in Germany at the end of May, and the troops will begin training a few weeks later. Officials said the troop training will last about 10 weeks.
10:47am: Ukraine seeking new air defence mechanisms from the West
Ukraine is continuing to call for more sophisticated air defence mechanisms from its Western allies, with leaked Pentagon documents showing that the country is running dangerously low on surface-to-air missiles. Ukraine expended large amounts of ammunition shooting down long-range Russian missiles targeting its energy infrastructure. Although this tactic allowed the country to survive the winter without the complete collapse of its electricity grid, FRANCE 24 correspondent Gulliver Cragg reports from Kyiv that Ukraine has little left with which to fight Russia's air force in an expected counter-offensive.
10:47am: Poland allows transit of Ukrainian grain
Poland on Friday allowed the transit of Ukrainian grain and other food through its borders, partially lifting a near week-long ban imposed in response to protests from farmers.
Poland and other European Union countries bordering Ukraine imposed temporary bans on Ukrainian grain exports after farmers protested a slump in prices related to the influx.
Ukraine has transported such exports across EU borders since Russia's invasion disrupted its usual Black Sea shipping route.
10:39am: Austin seeks to stem discord with allies over document leaks
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin sought Friday to tamp down any discord between the US and its allies over the massive US leak of classified documents, as he met with defence leaders from around the globe to coordinate additional military aid to Ukraine.
Acknowledging that the other nations have closely followed the issue, Austin hit the subject head on in his opening remarks to start the meeting. The move underscored the gravity of the situation, since many of the documents distributed online revealed details on the status of the war in Ukraine and the ongoing delivery of weapons and other equipment to Ukrainian forces in battle – intelligence matters the other defence officials are keenly involved in.
“I take this issue very seriously,” Austin said at the start of the day-long session at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. “And we will continue to work closely and respectfully with our deeply valued allies and partners. “
9:40am: Kremlin warplane fires into Russian city near Ukraine, injuring three
A Russian Sukhoi-34 supersonic warplane fired a weapon into the city of Belgorod near Ukraine late on Thursday, causing an explosion and injuring three people. The Russian defence ministry said the discharge was unintentional.
"As a Sukhoi Su-34 air force plane was flying over the city of Belgorod there was an accidental discharge of aviation ammunition," Russian news agency Tass cited the defence ministry as saying.
Video footage from the site showed piles of concrete on the street, several damaged cars and a building with broken windows. One shot showed what appeared to be car upside down on the roof of a store.
Belgorod region governor Vyacheslav Gladkov announced a state of emergency overnight and said there was a crater measuring 20 metres (65 feet) across on one of the main streets. Four cars and four apartment buildings were damaged, he added.
9:39am: NATO's Stoltenberg reaffirms Ukraine will eventually join alliance
All NATO allies have agreed that Ukraine will eventually become a member of the alliance but the main focus now is to ensure the country prevails against Russia, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday.
Speaking ahead of a meeting of the Ukraine defence contact group at Ramstein air base in Germany, he also told reporters that, once the war in Ukraine ends, Kyiv must have "the deterrence to prevent new attacks".
8:04pm: Air alarms in Kyiv triggered by Shahid drones
Reporting from Kyiv, Ukraine, FRANCE 24 correspondent Gulliver Cragg said the Ukrainian air force is reporting having shot down eight out of ten Shahid drones believed to be flying over Ukraine last night. The air force said that an "infrastructure object" in Poltava region in the country's centre was hit, with no casualties reported.
4:14am: G7 nations considering near-total ban of exports to Russia
Group of Seven (G7) countries are considering a near-total ban of exports to Russia, Kyodo news agency reported on Friday, citing Japanese government sources.
4:00am: China is not inflaming Ukraine situation, says Chinese FM
China is not inflaming the situation in Ukraine, and advocates a peaceful resolution of international disputes through dialogue and diplomacy, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said on Friday.
China has no intention to engage in a major power competition, Qin said at the Lanting Forum in Shanghai, adding that it opposes attempts to build walls and barriers to interrupt international supply chains.
1:15am: German defence minister says now is not time to discuss NATO membership for Ukraine
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius rejected a quick decision on Ukraine's membership at NATO, the Western alliance that has supported Ukraine throughout its war with Russia, with member states supplying it with weapons.
Kyiv wants the military alliance to offer it membership.
"The door is open a crack, but this is not the time to decide now," Pistorius said late on Thursday on ZDF's Maybrit Illner program, adding that Ukraine was aware of the decision-making situation.
12:40am: Ukraine's Zelensky urges Mexico to help deliver his peace plan
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday urged Mexico to help make the case in Latin America for his peace plan for Ukraine, even as tensions persist within the country's ruling party about offering support to Kyiv.
Mexico's government has said it wants to remain neutral in Ukraine's war with Russia.
Some Ukraine supporters have criticised leftist President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador for finding fault with European arms shipments to Kyiv.
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Key developments on Thursday, April 20
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on a visit to Kyiv Thursday that the alliance's priority was to ensure Ukraine "prevails" in the war against Russia and that a membership plan for Kyiv will be discussed at a summit in July. "Let me be clear: Ukraine's rightful place is in the euro-Atlantic family. Ukraine's rightful place is in NATO. And over time, our support will help you to make this possible," Stoltenberg told reporters during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will hold a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York on Monday, Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said. The diplomat said earlier this week that Lavrov and Guterres would discuss the Black Sea grain deal.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and Reuters)
