Andriy Yermak, Zelensky's chief of staff, said that the new pontiff had a phone call with Zelensky on Monday, during which the pope expressed willingness to facilitate meetings between global leaders and vowed to support efforts for "a just and lasting peace."
In an interview with French broadcaster TF1 on May 13, Macron discussed new Russia sanctions and stationing French nuclear weapons in other European countries as a deterrent against Russia.
Performing their song "Bird of Pray," Ukrainian band Ziferblat passed the Eurovision semi-finals on May 13, qualifying Ukraine for the grand final on May 17.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that a Russian delegation will be in Istanbul on May 15 for direct peace talks with Ukraine. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Putin’s foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov will likely represent Russia.
The move follows Ukraine's ratification of the minerals agreement, deepening U.S.-Ukraine economic ties and signaling expanded U.S. involvement in Ukraine's long-term recovery.
"Ukraine has initiated a coordinated campaign to vilify Hungary in order to undermine our initiative to hold a poll on (Kyiv's) EU membership," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that further concessions from Ukraine during negotiations would be unreasonable if Russia continues to attack civilian targets.
U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg, will travel to Istanbul for possible peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, Reuters reported on May 13, citing three undisclosed sources.
The scene of the attack in Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast, in which one woman was killed and a man injured on June 24, 2024. (Vadym Filashkin/Telegram)
A 63-year-old woman was killed and a 64-year-old man injured in a Russian attack on the town of Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast, regional officials reported on June 24.
"The city came under attack around 10 am today," Governor Vadym Filashkin wrote in a post on Telegram, adding that a house was hit and the wounded man had been taken to hospital.
Toretsk, the strategically important town located less than 8 kilometers (5 miles) from the front line, had a population of around 31,000 before the start of the full-scale invasion.
Russian forces have reportedly increased their attacks near the town after a "long lull" in fighting in the area.
According to the crowd-sourced DeepState monitoring service, Russian troops recently allegedly captured the village of Shumy, located some 10 kilometers (6 miles) from Toretsk.
On June 21, multiple attacks on Toretsk killed two residents and injured one, damaging 13 houses, an administrative building and an infrastructure facility.
"Russian strikes on front-line cities do not stop for a single day. So I urge everyone: do not risk your life and health! Evacuate!" Filashkin said.
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Kateryna Denisova
