This week, the world watched in anticipation for Russia’s Victory Day parade after President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that he could not guarantee the safety of those attending. Meanwhile, the European Union moves one step forward to banning Russian gas from the European continent. It is also revealed this week that U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has fallen out of step with the White House.
"(Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin... doesn't want to have a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the bloodbath. Ukraine should agree to this, immediately," U.S. President Donald Trump said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to to Antalya, Turkey, for a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting from May 14–16, where he is expected to address the war in Ukraine and push for stronger Allied defense commitments.
The Kremlin said the leaders held a detailed discussion about the Russian initiative and Erdogan expressed full support, reiterating Turkey’s readiness to provide a venue and assist in organizing the negotiations.
Erdogan told Macron that international cooperation is critical for initiating peace negotiations and the "sensitive implementation" of Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction processes, the Turkish Presidency reported.
The assault began around 2 a.m. on May 11, with Russian forces deploying 108 Shahed-type attack drones and decoy UAVs from multiple directions, Ukraine’s Air Force said.
Air Force Command spokesperson Yurii Ihnat briefs the press on the consequences of Russia's missile strikes on Ukraine. (Evgen Kotenko / Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
Russia didn't carry out any air strikes against Ukraine overnight on Jan. 12, making it the "calmest night in recent times," Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat said on national television.
Ihnat's statement comes just four days after Russia launched another mass air attack against Ukraine on Jan. 8, killing at least five people and wounding 45 more, according to Ukrainian authorities.
"I've never seen reports like this before... there was not a single aircraft or a single air attack vehicle in the country overnight," Ihnat said on air on Jan. 12.
According to the military official, such a quiet night could be the result of adverse weather conditions as some Ukrainian regions have recently faced snowstorms and freezing temperatures.
In the morning, Russia's military reportedly renewed its aerial activity in Ukraine. At the time of the broadcast, 10 Russian fighter jets and between five to seven reconnaissance drones were flying over the country, Ihnat added.
In late December and early January, Moscow intensified its air attacks against Ukraine's cities and critical infrastructure, echoing its winter strategy from last year.
Russia unleashed on Dec. 29 its largest air strike against Ukraine, targeting multiple cities, killing over 50 people and injuring over 160 nationwide.
Six more Ukrainians were killed and over 100 injured when Russian forces launched over 135 missiles and drones at Ukraine on Jan. 2.
Alexander Query
