Day 1,163.

Today, as the United States and Ukraine finally sign a much-revised minerals deal, we look at what it might mean for the future security of Ukraine – and we return to Germany to examine the first appointments of Friedrich Merz’s top team and ask why some commentators are questioning whether members of the German elite are really serious about rearmament, or would perhaps prefer a rapprochement with Russia.

Contributors:

Dominic Nicholls (Associate Editor of Defence). @DomNicholls on X

Francis Dearnley (Executive Editor for Audio). @FrancisDearnley on X.

James Rothwell (Berlin Correspondent). @JamesERothwell on X.

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Each week, Dom Nicholls and Francis Dearnley answer your questions, provide recommended reading, and give exclusive analysis and behind-the-scenes insights – plus maps of the frontlines and diagrams of weapons to complement our daily reporting.

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Content Referenced:

Trump minerals deal blames Putin for invasion (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2025/05/01/russia-ukraine-zelensky-putin-war-trump-latest-news/

Trump OKs First Cash Weapons Sale to Kyiv, Partly Lifts Hold on Ukrainian Military Aid (Kyiv Post):

https://www.kyivpost.com/post/51800

Realizing America’s Drone Revolution (War on the Rocks):

https://warontherocks.com/2025/04/realizing-americas-drone-revolution/

Hundreds of North Korean troops killed while fighting Ukraine, Seoul says (Reuters):

https://www.reuters.com/world/about-600-north-koreans-killed-ukraine-war-south-korean-lawmaker-says-2025-04-30/

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Exclusive: Trump blames Putin for invasion as US-Ukraine minerals deal is finally signed

Ukraine: The Latest

Exclusive: Trump blames Putin for invasion as US-Ukraine minerals deal is finally signed