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 June 24, 2024, attack on Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast. (Vadym Filashkin/Telegram)
At least five people have been killed and 41 wounded after a Russian ballistic missile attack on the city of Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, local authorities said on June 24.
In a post on Telegram, Governor Vadym Filashkin said Russian forces fired two Iskander missiles at the city, destroying a house and damaging 16 others.
"This is one of the largest enemy attacks on civilians in recent times," Filashkin added.
The number of the injured has risen from 34 to 40 as of around 4:45 p.m. local time, the regional prosecutor's officereported.
Filashkin reported at around 6 p.m. local time that 5 people were killed, while 41 wounded in the attack.
Three girls, aged 9, 11, and 13, as well as a 12-year-old boy, are reportedly among the wounded.
The injured were taken to Pokrovsk Intensive Care Hospital, the governor said.
Earlier on June 24, Filashkin reported that a 63-year-old woman was killed and a 64-year-old man injured in a Russian attack on the town of Toretsk, also located in Donetsk Oblast.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
