Both men face charges related to terrorism and espionage. Daniil B. was detained in Lithuania, where he is in temporary custody, while Oleksandr V. remains at large in Russia.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Ukraine and its allies discussed tougher sanctions against Russia's banking sector, central bank, and energy industry.
The EU plans to unveil on May 14 its next package of sanctions imposed against Russia over its aggression against Ukraine, an EU official told the Kyiv Independent on condition of anonymity.
Polish truckers plan to restrict freight traffic at the Yahodyn-Dorohusk checkpoint on the Ukrainian border, Ukraine's State Border Guard said on May 12.
"If the Russians are using this level of specialists in urban combat, they are probably facing some difficulties," Ivan Petrychak, spokesperson for the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade, said.
Previously, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk accused the Russian intelligence services of orchestrating a May 2024 arson attack on the Marywilska shopping centre in Warsaw.
"Perhaps in some areas, the intensity decreased slightly to create an image of compliance with their own announcement. But in reality, (Russia) continued attacks every day, using all available weapons — including aircraft to drop guided bombs on Ukraine," Andrii Demchenko, spokesperson for Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service, said.
Beijing supports all efforts toward achieving peace in Ukraine, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on May 12 when asked about Kyiv and Europe's proposal for a 30-day truce.
"I invited His Holiness to make an apostolic visit to Ukraine. Such a visit would bring real hope to all believers and to all our people," Zelensky said.
Presidential Office chief Andriy Yermak voiced doubt about leading negotiations with anyone from Russia except President Vladimir Putin, implying only the Russian leader can make real decisions.
This includes at least seven people injured in drone attacks overnight on May 12, a date from which Kyiv and its allies put forward a demand for a 30-day unconditional truce, a step that Moscow continues to reject.
"When European unity becomes inconvenient, disinformation goes so far as to make a simple tissue look like drugs," the Elysee Palace reacted to a fake story pushed by Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama sign the "Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation" in Tirana on Feb. 28, 2024. (President of Ukraine)
Albania and Ukraine signed a "Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation," President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Feb. 28 during his visit to Tirana for the Ukraine-Balkans summit.
Zelensky arrived in Tirana late on Feb. 27 to attend the second Ukraine-Southeast Europe summit, marking his first visit to Albania since the start of the full-scale invasion.
The agreement signed with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama "will help to strengthen our cooperation with Albania and Ukraine's position in the Balkans," Zelensky said.
The two countries agreed to develop cooperation in various fields, including trade, culture, education, the environment, healthcare, media, sports, and tourism.
The agreement also envisages cooperation between Albania and Ukraine in tackling organized crime, terrorism, smuggling, and trafficking.
Zelensky said that he and Rama discussed Ukraine's ongoing defense needs and "potential joint arms production."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in Tirana, Albania, on Feb. 28, 2024.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in Tirana, Albania, on Feb. 28, 2024.
Zelensky presented the Order of Yaroslav the Wise to Rama at the start of the signing ceremony "for his significant contribution and support for Ukraine," the Albanian government said.
"Since the first days of the full-scale invasion, Albania has supported Ukraine in our struggle for freedom and territorial integrity," Zelensky said. "We are grateful to the Albanian government and people."
Albanian Foreign Minister Igli Hasani said on X that Zelensky's visit to Albania marks "a pivotal moment for fostering bilateral ties."
Albania is "standing in solidarity with Ukraine in its heroic fight against Russia's aggression," Hasani said.
Hasani met with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba on Feb. 28 and said they had "very good discussions on strengthening bilateral ties and fostering a dynamic partnership between our countries."
The first Ukraine-Balkans summit was held in Athens in August 2023. Zelensky met with Balkan leaders to coordinate European and Euro-Atlantic integration, defense cooperation, and security, as well as separate talks on bilateral issues.
Dinara Khalilova
