Ramstein meeting, new military aid and Ukraine's sanctions against Russia - Friday brief

Air defense and billions in aid: What Ukraine will receive from 27th Ramstein meeting

Yesterday, April 11, the 27th meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defense in the Ramstein format took place in Brussels.

The meeting resulted in the announcement of new military assistance packages and the creation of another coalition.

In particular, Germany announced a new aid package for Ukraine. The country has pledged to provide four IRIS-T air defense systems with missiles and another 30 missiles for Patriot systems.

According to Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, the next meeting of the Ramstein Group may take place in Ukraine.

Zelenskyy imposes sanctions on Kremlin propaganda figures

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has imposed new sanctions targeting individuals linked to the Kremlin’s propaganda machine, according to presidential decrees published today.

Sanctions have been imposed on:

• Russian propagandist and correspondent for Rossiya 1, Aleksandr Sladkov

• Russian journalist and propagandist Arina Sharapova

• Ukrainian political strategist and pro-Russian propagandist Vadym Karasyov

• Propagandist Aleksandr Shelest

• Russian producer of Ukrainian origin Yuriy Bardash

Sanctions include asset freeze, revocation of state awards, trade restrictions, prevention of capital outflow, suspension of financial and economic obligations, and a ban on media distribution within Ukraine.

US toughens terms of minerals deal with Ukraine: NYT reveals what changes

The USA and Ukraine continue to discuss signing an agreement on a minerals deal. Washington will offer Kyiv a draft document with stricter terms than before, The New York Times informs.

The draft agreement includes tougher conditions for Ukraine. The document stipulates that the US will claim all profits from the fund until Kyiv "reimburses at least the equivalent of American aid received during the war, plus an annual 4 percent."

Additionally, the US wants to secure the "right of first offer" on new projects and the right to veto the sale of Ukrainian resources to third countries.

The US also plans for the fund to be controlled by the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) — a US government agency responsible for investing in companies and projects abroad.

Witkoff and Putin conclude Moscow meeting: First details emerge

US President’s special envoy Steve Witkoff has concluded a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Their conversation lasted 4.5 hours.

Earlier today in Moscow, Witkoff met with Russia’s investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev. Following that meeting, he held negotiations with Putin.

According to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Putin aimed to discuss possible options for resolving the situation in Ukraine with Witkoff. Peskov also noted that the meeting would last as long as Putin deemed necessary.

Germany and allies create new coalition to help Ukraine: Details

To support Ukraine, a new coalition of capabilities was created to deal with electronic warfare. It includes Germany and 10 other countries, according to the German Ministry of Defense.

This coalition complements the existing eight coalitions of capabilities. It was created by Germany and 10 partners to enhance Ukraine's capabilities in the following areas:

• ensuring its communications;
• reconnaissance and disruption of enemy communications;
• protection against drones;
• effectiveness of its own weapons systems.