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.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said he will meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, but said both leaders are ready to fly to Istanbul if Russian President Vladimir Putin chooses to attend the talks there.
Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin during military drills on May 7, 2024. (Belarusian Defense Ministry/Telegram)
The Belarusian Armed Forces launched a sudden inspection of military units capable of using tactical nuclear arms and other forces, the country's Defense Ministry said on May 7.
The announcement came a day after Russia, Belarus's key ally, said its forces would practice the usage of tactical nuclear weapons.
The snap inspections took place on the orders of Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko on May 7.
"A unit of Iskander operational-tactical system and a squadron of Su-25 aircraft are being prepared to carry out their intended tasks," Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said.
"An entire range of activities from planning, preparation, and use of tactical nuclear weapons will be tested," he added.
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Belarus Weekly
At least two Su-25 attack planes were relocated from their home airfield, Lida, to the Machulishchy airbase near Minsk, said the independent Belarusian monitoring group Belarusian Hajun.
Missile systems Iskander-M and Polonez-M are also to be transferred into positions for the drills, the group said.
Belarus does not possess its own nuclear weaponry, but Russia signed an agreement with Minsk last year to place its tactical nuclear arms on Belarusian territory.
Belarusian authorities claimed in December 2023 that the deployment of Russian nuclear weapons had been completed.
Maria Yeryoma
