"Think of the hundreds of thousands of lives that will be saved as this never ending 'bloodbath' hopefully comes to an end... I will continue to work with both sides to make sure that it happens."
U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce called for "concrete proposals from both sides" in order for Washington to "move forward" in peace negotiations.
"If they speak to each other in Russian, he doesn't know what they are saying," one Western official told NBC News. Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia, called Witkoff's approach "a very bad idea."
Tougher sanctions "should be applied to (Russia's) banking and energy sectors, targeting fossil fuels, oil, and the shadow fleet," the leaders of Ukraine, the U.K., France, Germany, and Poland said in a joint statement.
"Russia is ready for negotiations without any preconditions," Putin claimed in an address marking the end of the three-day Victory Day ceasefire. He invited Ukraine to begin talks in Istanbul on May 15.
While serving as a bishop in Peru, Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, called the full-scale war "a true invasion, imperialist in nature, where Russia seeks to conquer territory for reasons of power."
Speaking to CNN on May 10, Peskov commented on the latest ceasefire proposal from Ukraine and Europe, responding that Russia needs to "think about" it, but is "resistant" to pressure.
Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv on May 10, President Volodymyr Zelensky rebuked the idea of a demilitarized zone in the war and emphasized the importance of first securing a ceasefire.
"We agreed that a full and unconditional ceasefire must begin on Monday, May 12, for at least 30 days. We jointly demand this from Russia, and we know we are supported in this by the United States," Zelensky said.
Ukrainian media outlet ZN.UA reported on May 10 that their law enforcement sources confirmed an ongoing probe by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau into suspected embezzlement, money laundering and bribery.
President Volodymyr Zelensky and Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov during their meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria, on July 6, 2023. (Ukraine's Presidential Office)
Following a bilateral meeting in Sofia on July 6, President Volodymyr Zelensky and Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov signed a joint declaration on Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration.
According to Presidential Office deputy head Ihor Zhovkva, the document affirms Bulgaria's support for Ukraine joining NATO "as soon as conditions allow," as well as its readiness to continue aiding Ukraine both through NATO and at the bilateral level.
According to the declaration, Bulgaria recognizes that Ukraine's NATO accession is "the only way to ensure a sufficient level of security both for Ukraine and the entire Euro-Atlantic family."
Bulgaria is the 22nd country to sign the declaration of support for Ukraine's NATO aspirations, added Zhovkva.
Zelensky also met with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev to discuss the Ukrainian peace formula, the appointment of Bulgaria's Ambassador to Ukraine, and the countries' cooperation in the Black Sea region.
President Volodymyr Zelensky arrvies in Sofia, Bulgaria, on July 6, 2023. (Ukraine's Presidential Office)
President Volodymyr Zelensky and Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov during their meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria, on July 6, 2023. (Ukraine's Presidential Office)
President Volodymyr Zelensky and Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov during their meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria, on July 6, 2023. (Ukraine's Presidential Office)
President Volodymyr Zelensky and Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov during their meeting in Sofia, Bulgaria, on July 6, 2023. (Ukraine's Presidential Office)
The talk also touched on Ukraine's progress toward fulfilling the EU candidate criteria and Russia's potential attack on Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
Radev has consistently opposed providing Ukraine with large-scale defense assistance. He has been accused of having a pro-Moscow stance and called Crimea "Russian" during a 2021 presidential debate.
After parliament approved arms supplies to Kyiv in December last year, the interim cabinet provided the first military aid package, but Radev reportedly blocked further aid. However, the new government, which was formed in early June under Prime Minister Denkov, appears to be taking active steps to help Ukraine repel Russian aggression.
Bulgaria announced its second military aid package for Ukraine on June 27 without specifying its content.
Dinara Khalilova is a reporter at the Kyiv Independent, where she has previously worked as a news editor. In the early weeks of Russia’s full-scale invasion, she worked as a fixer and local producer for Sky News’ team in Ukraine. Dinara holds a BA in journalism from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and a Master’s degree in media and communication from the U.K.’s Bournemouth University.
Mark Dietzen
