Pompeo urges Trump not to legitimize Russia’s land grabs in Ukraine
Former U.S. State Secretary Mike Pompeo acknowledged frustrations over the current front lines but cautioned against ceding Ukrainian land to Russia.
Ukraine
Western hesitation continues to undermine Ukraine
On May 28, President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Germany and met with the country’s new Chancellor, Friedrich Merz. There were high expectations that Berlin would finally authorize the delivery of Taurus long-range missiles — a long-standing request from Kyiv since the beginning of the Russian invasion. However, this demand had been
European leaders shift focus to defending Ukraine without US support, the Telegraph reports
According to the Telegraph, senior European diplomats meeting in The Hague agreed to shift their focus from deploying troops to enforce a ceasefire to preparing long-term strategies for supporting Ukraine without American backing.
Ukraine's enduring cyber defense: Assessing resilience and impact of shifting international support
From my vantage point, having recently attended the Kyiv International Cyber Resilience Forum (KICRF) and witnessing firsthand the unwavering determination in the face of relentless digital aggression, the situation unfolding in Ukraine's cyber domain demands our unvarnished attention. The situation in Ukraine's cyber domain is not merely a theoretical exercise
As 50,000 Russian troops amass, Ukraine's Sumy Oblast braces for potential large-scale offensive
Reports of an imminent Russian summer offensive and troop build ups on Ukraine's border are raising alarms in Sumy Oblast and fears that a large-scale assault could be on the horizon. Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 22 said he had ordered his military to create a "security buffer zone"
Russia steps up offensives in Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Sumy oblasts, Syrskyi says
While Russia's main efforts remain concentrated on the Pokrovsk, Toretsk, and Lyman fronts in Donetsk Oblast, as well as in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy Oblast bordering Russia, Zaporizhzhia has seen an uptick in escalation, Syrskyi noted.
NATO officials reject Russian demand to halt expansion, media reports
According to NATO sources cited by Radio Liberty, the written pledge Moscow demands is unrealistic. "It’s not something they (Russia) can just get," one diplomat said.
UK identifies Russia as an 'immediate and pressing' threat in new defense review, the Guardian reports
Alongside Russia, the review identifies China as a "sophisticated and persistent challenge," noting Beijing's growing ties with Moscow and its role in supplying critical components for Russian weapons systems.
Ukraine orders mandatory evacuation from 11 additional villages in Sumy Oblast amid Russian troop buildup
"(Russia) continues its terror of the borderlands, and our shared task is to save every life," Governor Oleh Hryhorov said in a statement. "I urge residents not to delay the decision to evacuate. Staying in a zone of constant danger is a direct threat to your life and health."
Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 10, injure 32 over past day
Ukrainian defenses shot down 69 drones and three Kh-59/69 guided missiles using aviation units, air defense systems, electronic warfare, and mobile fire teams.
General Staff: Russia has lost 987,330 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
The number includes 1,250 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
1 child killed, 1 injured in Russian missile attack on Zaporizhzhia Oblast
One child was killed and another was injured in a Russian missile attack on Zaporizhzhia Oblast overnight on May 31.
Ukraine to skip $665 million debt payment, Bloomberg reports
Ukraine will skip a $665 million government debt payment after failing to agree on restructuring terms with creditors, Bloomberg reported.
Russia sent Ukraine 65 civilians slated for deportation in major prisoner exchange
In a prisoner exchange from May 23 to 25, Russia sent Ukraine 65 prisoners who were set to be deported to Ukraine regardless of the swap, Suspilne reported on May 30.
Kremlin fabricated story on Putin’s near-miss with Ukrainian drones, Moscow Times reports
Claims of Russian President Vladimir Putin's helicopter being "at the epicenter" of a Ukrainian drone attack in Kursk Oblast were reportedly fabricated by the Kremlin, the Moscow Times reported on May 30, citing four Russian government sources.
Trump 'very surprised, disappointed' at Russian attacks on Ukraine amid peace talks
"I've gotten to see things I was very surprised at. Rockets being shot into cities like Kyiv during a negotiation that was maybe very close to ending," Trump said during a news conference in the Oval Office. "All of a sudden rockets got shot into a couple of cities and people died. I saw thing I was surprised at and I don't like being surprised, so I'm very disappointed in that way."
Ukraine war latest: Ukraine attacks elite Russian unit base nearly 7,000km away in Vladivostok, source claims
Key developments on May 28: * Ukraine attacks elite Russian unit base nearly 7,000km away in Vladivostok, source claims * Ukraine ready for 2nd round of Istanbul talks but seeks Russian draft memo in advance, Yermak says * Senate to 'start moving' Russia sanctions bill next week, Graham says * Russia may 'consider'
Zelensky doubts June 2 talks will yield results as Russia withholds ceasefire plan
"The Russians have been unable to present the so-called 'memorandum' for over a week, which they promised to prepare immediately after the 1,000-for-1,000 exchange," Zelensky wrote on Telegram. "Ukraine has not received any documents from them."
Senate to 'start moving' Russia sanctions bill next week, Graham says
The proposed bill would introduce expansive penalties on Russia and impose 500% tariffs on imports from countries purchasing Russian fossil fuels.
Ukraine Reforms Tracker Weekly — Issue 27
Editor’s note: This is issue 27 of Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak’s weekly "Ukraine Reforms Tracker" covering events from May 19–May 25, 2025. The digest highlights steps taken in the Ukrainian parliament related to business, economics, and international financial programs. The Kyiv Independent is republishing with permission. Benchmarks
Russia may 'consider' ceasefire if Ukraine stops mobilization, arms deliveries, ambassador says
Russia's envoy to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, pledged that Moscow would "continue and intensify military operations for as long as necessary."
Ukraine watches closely as Poland faces polarizing presidential run-off
Poland’s presidential race has never seen a first-round winner with so many reasons to worry, the far right so emboldened, and Ukraine so central to the campaign. The June 1 run-off between Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski of the ruling Civic Platform (PO) and Karol Nawrocki, backed by Law and
Ukraine offers $4,800 bonus to new doctors in rural, combat zones
The new measure, set to take effect in 2025, is aimed at addressing critical staffing shortages in front-line and underserved regions from which many residents — and professionals — have fled due to ongoing Russian attacks.
The Hungary-Ukraine spy scandal and Russia's possible role, explained
Ukraine's rocky relationship with Hungary reached new lows this month with the uncovering of an alleged spy ring run from Budapest. Arrests, tit-for-tat expulsions, and a stream of accusations from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban soon followed in a diplomatic scandal with potentially massive ramifications for both countries. "This is
Putin in favor of meeting Zelensky, Trump if progress is made in peace talks, Kremlin says
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stressed that a high-level summit would require concrete outcomes from the negotiations between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations.
Ukraine attacks elite Russian unit base nearly 7,000km away in Vladivostok, source claims
Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) was behind the explosions near Desantnaya Bay in Russia's Vladivostok on May 30, which reportedly damaged military personnel and equipment, a source in HUR told the Kyiv Independent.
Ukraine's memorandum proposes ceasefire across land, air, and sea, NYT reports
Kyiv and its allies have urged Moscow to adopt an unconditional ceasefire starting May 12 as the first step toward peace talks — a proposal Russia has ignored.
Russia ‘testing’ Europe’s capacity to help Ukraine by intensifying air attacks
As Russia ramps up its missile and drone strikes countrywide, all eyes are on Europe’s capacity to continue supporting Ukraine, with the future of U.S. military aid growing ever more uncertain. Ukraine should have enough air defense missiles despite the persisting shortage to avoid the worst of the
War’s unseen isolation: A Ukrainian officer’s story of survival and hope
A lot depends on the circumstances under which you try to define or feel your own loneliness. Let me begin with my biography — my recent story. I joined the army in the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, as an officer in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Ukraine ready for 2nd round of Istanbul talks but seeks Russian draft memo in advance, Yermak says
"Ukraine is ready to attend the next meeting, but we want to engage in a constructive discussion. This means it is important to receive Russia’s draft. There is enough time – four days are sufficient for preparing and sending the documents," Presidential Office Chief of Staff Andriy Yermak said.
Over 89,000 Russian targets struck in May using drones, Ukraine's commander claims
"Each drone means a destroyed enemy, and therefore a saved life of a Ukrainian serviceman. A special emphasis is placed on the destruction of enemy UAV (unmanned aerial vehicles) operators and their command centers," Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said.
Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 7, injure 39 over past day
Ukrainian forces downed 26 out of the 90 drones, including Shahed-type attack drones, launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported. Thirty drones were intercepted by electronic warfare or disappeared from radars without causing any damage, according to the statement.
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