President Volodymyr Zelensky would not meet any other Russian official apart from Russian President Vladimir Putin in Istanbul this week, presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak said on the Breakfast Show program on May 13.
U.S. and European officials held talks on May 12, during which Washington made it clear that it wanted to allow talks between Russia and Ukraine before increasing pressure on Vladimir Putin, sources told Bloomberg.
According to Steve Witkoff, the key topics in the peace discussions are the fate of the five partially or fully occupied Ukrainian regions, the status of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and Ukraine's access to the Dnipro River and the Black Sea.
Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa is reportedly offering a deal that would give U.S. companies access to Syria's natural wealth, reminiscent of the minerals agreement Washington recently signed with Kyiv.
Russia attacked Ukraine with drones and guided bombs during the night, targeting multiple regions after the May 12 deadline for an unconditional ceasefire expired.
"Only member states can take out loans within the 150 billion euros instrument, but they can use these funds for joint procurement with Ukraine," EU Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said.
"We agreed to pursue ambitious measures to reduce Russia's ability to wage war by limiting Kremlin revenues, disrupting the shadow fleet, tightening the Oil Price Cap, and reducing our remaining imports of Russian energy."
Zelensky on May 12 removed Lieutenant General Ivan Havryliuk from the Headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the top command and control body for all branches of Ukraine's defense apparatus.
Ukraine remains the most mined country in the world. Nearly one-third of Ukraine's territory, approximately 174,000 square kilometers, had been mined since Russia began its full-scale invasion of the country in February 2022.
The phone call comes as Moscow once again rejected a 30-day ceasefire, with Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova claiming that a ceasefire would give "Kyiv a break to restore its military potential and continue its confrontation with Russia."
Flight MH17 departed from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport en-route to Kuala Lumpur International Airport on July 17, 2014. Three hours into the flight, the Boeing-777 was shot down by Russian proxy forces using a Buk surface-to-air missile above Ukraine’s Donetsk Oblast.
A still from "Stop-Zemlia" Ukrainian teenage drama that is screened with English subtitles at Zhovten and Kino42 cinemas in Kyiv until Feb. 2, 2022. (Arthouse Traffic)
Our picks of the best art, music, film and more in the capital. All listed venues require one of the following: certificate of vaccination, negative PCR or antigen test, or proof of recovery from Covid-19.
A portrait of the generation Z, yet timeless in its empathy for the teenage experience, "Stop-Zemlia" runs with English subtitles at Zhovten and Kino42. Our pick among Ukraine's best movies of 2021, it’s also now available to stream in the U.S. Award-winning musical drama "Annette" and visceral thriller "Surge" are still playing at Zhovten in English.
'Stop-Zemlia’ (drama, romance in Ukrainian with English subtitles). Zhovten (26 Kostiantynivska St.), Kino42 (11 Kostiantynivska St.) Jan. 28 - Feb. 2. Hr 75-130.
The shepherds of the Ukrainian alternative scene Stoned Jesus will gather another Winter Mass festival to revisit their iconic "Seven Thunders Roar" album. The band Ooze will also play stoner rock, along with other debutants – grunge trio Omana and the experimental Vykroutas. The psychedelic Shiva the Destructor and garage rock Esquizet are also coming back.
Winter Mass festival (alternative). Bel Etage Music Hall (16A Shota Rustaveli St.) Jan. 29, 5 p.m. Hr 380-770.
The Maidan Museum offers a free tour on Jan. 29 on the occasion of the eighth anniversary of EuroMaidan Revolution, a popular uprising that drove the Kremlin-backed President Viktor Yanukovych from power in 2014. The museum's newest exhibit is about the Art Barbakan group that emerged during the protest. One of its members, illustrator and comics artist Sasha Komyakhov, will give a talk in Ukrainian at 4 p.m. The tour is available in English upon request during required registration.
Free tour of the Maidan Museum (16 Lypska St.) Jan. 29. 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
As its name suggests, the party by Pornceptual at the untitled nightclub at 41 Kyrylivksa St. (spelled as "∄") is not for everyone. But it’s a rare chance to experience a sexually positive event organized by the Berlin-based queer promo collective famed for its inclusiveness. Top DJs like Stingray, Dr. Rubinstein and Curses will provide the music.
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.
