**Russian Negotiator to Visit White House**
A top Russian negotiator is set to meet with a US official at the White House next week. Kirill Dmitriev, who heads Russia’s state-controlled investment fund, will meet Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East.
This visit comes as the Trump administration tries to restore ties with Moscow amid efforts to broker a peace deal in Ukraine. Dmitriev was involved in backchannel diplomacy between Russia and the US in 2016.
The US temporarily lifted sanctions on Dmitriev to grant him a visa, making him the first high-level Russian official to visit the US since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Both sides have declined to comment on the visit.
**Ukraine Corruption Case**
Ukraine’s anti-corruption bodies have announced charges in a corruption case involving overpriced food purchases by the Defense Ministry between 2022 and 2023.
**Military Developments**
The Unmanned Systems Forces are recruiting members for its new Harpies unit, including exclusively female drone operators. The US is drawing up plans to exert additional pressure on both Kyiv and Moscow as the goal of a full ceasefire by April or May seems increasingly unlikely.
Russia launched 15 strike drones against the eastern city of Kharkiv, causing shock among residents but no physical injuries.
**European Support**
The European Union is launching a new program worth 16.7 million euros to support Ukraine’s preparation for EU membership. Latvia will provide 1,500 combat drones to Ukraine, the country‘s Defense Minister said on April 1.
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