The new tranche brings total recent EU defense support for Ukraine to 3.3 billion euros ($3.6 billion), marking a significant expansion of European efforts to boost Kyiv's defense industry.
"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.
Both men face charges related to terrorism and espionage. Daniil B. was detained in Lithuania, where he is in temporary custody, while Oleksandr V. remains at large in Russia.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Ukraine and its allies discussed tougher sanctions against Russia's banking sector, central bank, and energy industry.
"We are ready for all options. But of course, we are separately waiting for a response on the ceasefire," a source close to President Volodymyr Zelensky told the Kyiv Independent.
The EU plans to unveil on May 14 its next package of sanctions imposed against Russia over its aggression against Ukraine, an EU official told the Kyiv Independent on condition of anonymity.
Polish truckers plan to restrict freight traffic at the Yahodyn-Dorohusk checkpoint on the Ukrainian border, Ukraine's State Border Guard said on May 12.
"If the Russians are using this level of specialists in urban combat, they are probably facing some difficulties," Ivan Petrychak, spokesperson for the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade, said.
Previously, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk accused the Russian intelligence services of orchestrating a May 2024 arson attack on the Marywilska shopping centre in Warsaw.
"Perhaps in some areas, the intensity decreased slightly to create an image of compliance with their own announcement. But in reality, (Russia) continued attacks every day, using all available weapons — including aircraft to drop guided bombs on Ukraine," Andrii Demchenko, spokesperson for Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service, said.
Beijing supports all efforts toward achieving peace in Ukraine, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on May 12 when asked about Kyiv and Europe's proposal for a 30-day truce.
"I invited His Holiness to make an apostolic visit to Ukraine. Such a visit would bring real hope to all believers and to all our people," Zelensky said.
Kryhitka pop-rock band will perform at the Bel Etage Music Hall in Kyiv on Feb. 13, 2022. (Kirai Gigs / Kryhitka - Facebook)
Our picks of the best art, music, film and more in the capital. Listed venues require one of the following: certificate of vaccination, negative PCR or antigen test, or proof of recovery from Covid-19.
Kryhitka will once again touch hearts on the eve of Lovers’ Day at the Bel Etage Music Hall. After a five-year hiatus, the Ukrainian pop-rock band released two singles during the lockdown, and fans expect more new music at the show. The same night, Ukrainian musicians will perform Jazz Love Songs at the Zhovtnevyi Palace.
Kryhitka. Megalyubov (pop-rock, indie). Bel Etage Music Hall (16A Shota Rustaveli St.) Feb. 13. 8 p.m. Hr 550
The Hippie Love party at the Closer nightclub will set the right mood on Feb. 12 for the upcoming Valentine’s Day. French DJ Dyed Soundorom and German DJ Edward will make sure of that.
The chaos of Kyiv streets in disrepair is brought to conceptual order in sculpture and drawings by young artist Oleksiy Polovets. Saturday is the last day to see his "Pothole" exhibition at the Ya Gallery.
Vintage clothes, perfumes, jewelry, and decor – the romantic edition of the curated Kyivness market will surely have something for your valentine on Feb. 12-13. The event seems to have found a permanent home at the Chocolate House estate.
Kyivness (curated vintage and local brands market). Chocolate House (17/2 Shovkovychna St.) Feb. 12-13. 12-8 p.m. Hr 200.
Artur Korniienko is a reporter at the Kyiv Independent, currently on a leave to serve in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. He previously reported on Ukrainian literature, art, music, film and social issues for the Kyiv Post, including the controversial Babyn Yar memorial and other development projects opposed by the community. In 2021, he ran a podcast about Ukrainian migrant workers for RFE/RL on the Vaclav Havel Fellowship in Prague. With a Master's in Journalism from the Ukrainian Catholic University, Korniienko had also worked as a freelance journalist and a TV correspondent.
