Key takeaways:
- Trump pauses global reciprocal tariffs for 90 days, except for China, sending stocks soaring
- Ukraine reports Russia's spring offensive underway in northeast, despite Trump weighing peace talks
- Trump administration reverses some foreign aid cuts, restoring several emergency food assistance programs
Russia's Spring Offensive Ukraine's military chief confirmed Russia has launched a new offensive in northeastern Ukraine, with attacks nearly doubling in the past week. The heaviest concentration is along Ukraine's northeastern border and in Donetsk. Ukrainian forces are retreating in some areas amid a 30% spike in engagements. Despite high Russian casualties, territorial gains remain modest, with Britain's Ministry of Defense reporting declining rates of advance.
Foreign Aid Cuts Reversed The Trump administration has partially reversed recent foreign aid cuts, restoring several emergency food assistance programs. USAID Acting Deputy Administrator Jeremy Lewin instructed staff to reinstate at least six recently canceled U.S. foreign aid programs for emergency food assistance in countries like Lebanon, Syria, and Somalia. However, funding for Afghanistan and Yemen remains suspended due to concerns about aid benefiting terror groups.
China Denies Fighters in Ukraine Beijing flatly denied reports that Chinese nationals are fighting alongside Russian troops in Ukraine, calling the allegations "entirely unfounded." This follows Ukrainian President Zelensky's claim that two Chinese citizens were detained in Donetsk, with intelligence suggesting up to 150 Chinese nationals may have been recruited by Russia. China reiterated its "neutral position" on the war, though analysts note that even unofficial Chinese fighters could complicate Beijing's diplomatic stance.