Ukraine names territory ‘Donnyland’ to appease Trump & ‘breakthrough’ as EU approves €90bn loan for Zelensky

Day 1,518.

Today, after months of back-room negotiations, delays and doubts, we go live to Brussels as the EU finally approves the €90 billion loan for Ukraine. How significant is this decision for Kyiv’s war effort – and what happens now that the funding is secured? We also report on the proposal of “Donnyland”, a suggested name for territory in Donbas Ukraine may dedicate to Donald Trump. Then we round up the latest headlines from Russia and Central Asia.

Contributors:

Francis Dearnley (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @FrancisDearnley on X.

Dominic Nicholls (Host on Ukraine: The Latest). @DomNicholls on X.

Joe Barnes (Brussels Correspondent). @Barnes_Joe on X.

James Kilner (Russia Analyst). @Jkjourno on X.

NOW IN FULL VIDEO WITH MAPS & BATTLEFIELD FOOTAGE:

Every episode is now available on our YouTube channel shortly after the release of the audio version. You will find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@UkraineTheLatest  

CONTENT REFERENCED:

Ukraine to launch EU-funded weapons spending spree after Orban defeat (Joe Barnes in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/21/ukraine-to-spend-90bn-eu-windfall-on-patriots-and-storm-sha/ 

The Ukrainian negotiator who can silence Russia’s guns with one call (Joe Barnes in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/20/ukrainian-peacemaker-swapping-prisoners 

Ukraine proposes creating ‘Donnyland’ to satisfy Trump (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/04/22/ukraine-proposes-creating-donnyland-to-satisfy-trump/ 

A banking crisis made in the Kremlin is gripping Russia (Melissa Lawford in The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/04/22/a-banking-crisis-made-in-the-kremlin-is-gripping-russia/ 

Putin closes major oil pipeline to Germany (The Telegraph):

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/04/22/putin-stokes-european-fuel-crisis-cutting-off-oil-germany/ 

Russian economy is faltering despite oil windfall, Sweden warns (Financial Times):

https://www.ft.com/content/04a9d05d-2502-44d4-b7e0-041aaa4f83cd?syn-25a6b1a6=1 

‘Donnyland’? Ukraine Proposes Naming Part of the Donbas in Trump’s Honor (New York Times):

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/21/us/politics/donnyland-ukraine-donbas-trump.html 

Russia and North Korea Celebrate Joining of First Road Bridge (Moscow Times):

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/04/21/russia-and-north-korea-celebrate-joining-of-first-road-bridge-a92556 

New biography on author Mikhail Bulgakov labeled under 'drug propaganda' law in Russia (Kyiv Independent):

https://kyivindependent.com/amid-growing-censorship-laws-book-on-author-mikhail-bulgakov-labeled-drug-propaganda-in-russia/?mc_cid=9364e648a5&mc_eid=08d0680a95 

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HIGHLIGHTS:

•  EU approves €90 billion loan for Ukraine.
• A territory in the Donbas region of Ukraine may be named ‘Donnyland’ in tribute to Donald Trump.

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