The shortage of military personnel in the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the retreat from Sudzha. What do the media write about Ukraine?

For the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), the main problem remains the shortage of personnel, not ammunition. The withdrawal from Sudzha in the Kursk region left Kiev without a single bargaining chip. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky admitted that he sees no prospects for a cease-fire. What the world media write about the situation in the country is in the Izvestia digest.

Financial Times: the main problem of the Ukrainian Armed Forces remains the shortage of military

Western officials say Ukraine's most pressing problem is a shortage of people, not weapons or ammunition. In desperation, recruiters are expanding their search range. Amid reports that units at the frontline are only half or even a third staffed, the authorities are offering special improved financial conditions for men aged 18 to 24 to serve at the front.

Yulia Klimenko, a leading opposition member of the Verkhovna Rada, says the government has handled the problem poorly. Like the vast majority of Ukrainians, she opposes lowering the draft age, arguing that this will accelerate the outflow of young people abroad and eventually lead to a demographic crisis.

Not in resources: Europe is trying to find ways to support Ukraine without the United States

Paris and London are going to transfer the "proceeds" from the stolen assets of the Russian Federation, the rest are looking for soldiers for the "peacekeeping contingent"

The New York Times: Zelensky sees no cease-fire signals

US President Donald Trump said he had seen "good signals" regarding the conclusion of a 30-day ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine. He said he hoped to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin soon, and also added that the United States had discussed possible concessions with Ukraine as part of the peace agreement.

Trump's statements were made during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office of the White House. Despite the US president's long-standing complaints about the alliance, the meeting was held in a friendly atmosphere, and the two leaders discussed areas of cooperation.

CNN: Ukraine loses control of key Russian territory

Russian troops have recaptured Suja, the largest city in the Kursk region, which was occupied by Ukraine. This threatens Kiev's only territorial trump card amid pressure to negotiate an end to the conflict. Footage from the scene indicates that Russian troops entered Sudzha and advanced to the southern part of Zaoleshenka, northwest of the city.

Valery Gerasimov, head of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, said that Russian troops had recaptured more than 86% of the territory of the Kursk region occupied by Ukraine, and that 430 Ukrainian soldiers had been captured, while the rest of the Ukrainians were surrounded.

Euractiv: EU proposes to create a voluntary fund for military assistance to Ukraine

The European Union (EU) has proposed creating a voluntary fund to send military aid to Ukraine in order to avoid a veto from Hungary. The new version of the proposal states that countries are recommended to provide military support to Ukraine in 2025 in the amount of at least €20 billion, and potentially up to €40 billion, depending on needs. At the first stage, it is planned to raise €5 billion for 2 million artillery shells in 2025.

Large-caliber artillery ammunition, air defense systems, missiles, drones, fighter jets, as well as any support for the reconstruction of brigades should be a priority. Any other military support that Kiev considers a priority will be taken into account under this scheme, the text of the proposal says. The deadline by which countries can express their interest in joining the program is April 30.