Elon Musk announces exit from US government role
"The DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government," Elon Musk wrote on his social platform X.
Martin Fornusek
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Germany to do 'everything' to prevent Nord Stream 2 restart, Merz says
The German government will "do everything to ensure that Nord Stream 2 cannot be put back into operation," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on May 28.
Germany to help finance Ukrainian-made long-range systems
Germany and Ukraine will sign a memorandum on the joint purchase of "long-range fires" manufactured by Ukraine, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced on May 28.
Putin-Zelensky meeting possible after 'specific agreements,' Russia says
"Our position on the fundamental possibility of such a meeting has not changed," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said.
Belarus to scale down Zapad military drills to 'reduce tensions,' Minsk claims
Belarus will reduce the parameters of the upcoming Zapad-2025 military drills and move maneuvers inland from the western border to reduce tensions in the region, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin claimed on May 28.
US won't support Russia's demand for Ukraine's withdrawal from 4 regions, Zelensky says
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 27 that he does not believe the U.S. would support a full Ukrainian withdrawal from four of its partially occupied regions, a demand repeatedly raised by Russia, Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported.
Zelensky arrives in Germany for talks with Merz amid Taurus missile speculation
The two leaders are expected to discuss Germany's military assistance and ceasefire efforts, a German government spokesperson said.
Russia mobilizes 40,000-45,000 troops per month, Ukraine 25,000-27,000, Zelensky says
"When the U.S. sends signals that it wants to do something positive with Russia, then Russia ramps up its mobilization," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Russia massing 50,000 troops near border of Ukraine's Sumy Oblast, Zelensky says
Russian forces are accumulating 50,000 troops near Ukraine's Sumy Oblast, seeking to create a 10-kilometer buffer zone in the area, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a press briefing on May 27.
Russian attacks against Ukraine kill 1, injure 46 over past day
Russia launched five Iskander-M or KN-23 ballistic missiles against Ukraine overnight, as well as 88 Shahed-type attack drones and decoy drones, the Air Force said.
Bracing for more Russian attacks, an anxious Ukraine waits for Trump to do… something
After an unprecedented three-day wave of Russian aerial attacks in Ukraine over the weekend, the world is once again looking to U.S. President Donald Trump to take his first steps toward forcing Moscow to end its violence. From May 24 to 26, Russian forces fired more than 600 drones
Hungary accuses Ukraine of 'information operations,' signals continued obstruction of EU accession
Hungary's European Affairs Minister Janos Boka claimed on May 27 that it is "extremely difficult" to lead constructive negotiations with Ukraine on its EU accession as Kyiv is allegedly conducting "information and intelligence" on Hungary's territory.
Turkey's FM to visit Kyiv on May 29-30 after discussing Ukraine peace efforts with Putin, media reports
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on May 26 to discuss recent peace initiatives and the May 16 talks in Istanbul, Reuters reported.
Decision on lifting range restrictions on arms for Ukraine made months ago, Germany's Merz clarifies
"In this respect, yesterday in Berlin, I described something that has been happening for months: namely, that Ukraine has the right to use the weapons it receives, even beyond its own borders, against military targets on Russian territory," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said.
US, EU no longer coordinating enforcement of Russia sanctions, media reports
EU sanctions chief David O'Sullivan noted that there is "no more outreach" between the two sides on sanctions evasion and that G7 cooperation has "also lost momentum" in this regard, according to an internal report from an EU ministerial meeting in Brussels on May 20, Suddeutsche Zeitung reported.
Pro-Russian Georgescu announces retirement from Romania's politics
In a video address posted online, Calin Georgescu said he had made a personal choice to become a mere "observer of public and social life" and devote more time and energy to his family.
Updated: EU formally adopts $170 billion defense plan amid Russia's war against Ukraine
The EU is set to formally approve a 150 billion euro ($170 billion) defense spending plan on May 27 amid Russia's war against Ukraine, Radio Liberty reported.
West no longer imposing range restrictions on arms for Ukraine, Germany's Merz says
"This means that Ukraine can now defend itself, for example, by attacking military facilities in Russia," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said. "Until recently, it couldn’t do that, and apart from very few exceptions, it hadn’t done so either."
'We could not influence the list' — Ukraine reacts to reported inclusion of alleged defector in prisoner swap with Russia
Ukrainian investigators are working to identify Anatolii Taranenko and verify the accusations raised against him, said Andrii Yusov, deputy head of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War (POW).
Secret note reveals Russia using Telegram bots to control drones attacking Ukraine, Economist reports
The new control algorithm was revealed in a note hidden inside one of the Russian drones, possibly left behind by a "sympathetic Russian engineer," the Economist wrote.
Russia can attack Europe 2-4 years after war's end, faster with lifted sanctions, Ukrainian intel chief warns
"If the sanctions are lifted, the rearmament process will proceed much faster," Ukrainian foreign intelligence (SZRU) chief Oleh Ivashchenko said in an interview with Ukrinform.
Russian drone production site, chemical plant targeted in alleged Ukrainian drone strike
Russia's Defense Ministry claimed its forces had downed 148 Ukrainian drones since 10 a.m. local time on May 25 until 8 a.m. on May 26.
Netherlands to send last of pledged 24 F-16s to Ukraine on May 26
"We are also training pilots and technicians and sharing our military doctrines, so that Ukraine can build a modern armed force that matches that of the NATO member states," Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said.
Ukraine hands over 70 collaborators to Russia in May 23 prisoner swap
The identities of 31 of them have been revealed on the project's website. These included Oleksandr Tarnashinskyi, a former associate of pro-Kremlin oligarch Viktor Medvedchuk, or ex-Security Service of Ukraine officer Vitalii Vasiliev.
Ukraine brings home 307 POWs in 2nd phase of major prisoner swap with Russia
Ukraine has secured the release of 307 Ukrainians from Russian captivity in the second phase of its largest prisoner exchange with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on May 24.
13 killed, 51 receive medical care after Russian strikes on Ukraine over past day
Russian attacks killed at least 13 civilians during attacks against Ukraine over the past day, regional authorities reported. At least 51 people required medical attention.
Russian chemical plant, missile parts manufacturer targeted in alleged Ukrainian drone strike
The Energia facility, which lies in the Lipetsk Oblast city of Yelets, was attacked for the second night in a row, with residents reporting at least five explosions overnight, Astra reported.
'It's terrorism' — Russia launches one of the heaviest strikes on Kyiv during full-scale war
Multiple people were injured as multiple waves of explosions rocked Kyiv overnight on May 24 during a massive Russian drone and missile attack.
Historian Timothy Ash on the 'new West' after 'Trump shock'
With the fading U.S. global leadership under Donald Trump, Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, and growing populism at home, Europe faces a stark choice: step up or fall into irrelevance. Speaking with the Kyiv Independent on May 16, British historian Timothy Garton Ash paints a picture of a West in transition.
Dan opposes Romanian peacekeepers in Ukraine but affirms pro-Kyiv course
"First, to have a big operational support on Romanian territory, yes. To be part of the armies guaranteeing peace in Ukraine, no," Romanian President-elect Nicusor Dan told Politico.
EU officially agrees on 150-billion-euro defense fund
"SAFE is an advantageous, low-interest, multi-year loan guaranteed by the EU budget," the Council of the EU said.
Controversial Ukrainian ex-official Portnov shot dead in Madrid, source says
Andriy Portnov, a former top official in Ukraine's ex-President Viktor Yanukovych’s administration, was shot dead by an unidentified attacker or attackers outside the American School in Madrid, Reuters reported on May 21, citing a source close to the investigation.
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With no new US aid packages on the horizon, can Ukraine continue to fight Russia?
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