This week, the world watched in anticipation for Russia’s Victory Day parade after President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that he could not guarantee the safety of those attending. Meanwhile, the European Union moves one step forward to banning Russian gas from the European continent. It is also revealed this week that U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has fallen out of step with the White House.
"(Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin... doesn't want to have a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the bloodbath. Ukraine should agree to this, immediately," U.S. President Donald Trump said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to to Antalya, Turkey, for a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting from May 14–16, where he is expected to address the war in Ukraine and push for stronger Allied defense commitments.
The Kremlin said the leaders held a detailed discussion about the Russian initiative and Erdogan expressed full support, reiterating Turkey’s readiness to provide a venue and assist in organizing the negotiations.
Erdogan told Macron that international cooperation is critical for initiating peace negotiations and the "sensitive implementation" of Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction processes, the Turkish Presidency reported.
The assault began around 2 a.m. on May 11, with Russian forces deploying 108 Shahed-type attack drones and decoy UAVs from multiple directions, Ukraine’s Air Force said.
The Dnipropetrovsk Oblast military enlistment head Anatolii Pikalo, accused of illegal enrichment, and law enforcement officers during the searches at Pikalo's properties. (Ukraine's National Police)
Law enforcement officers searched the office and properties of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast military enlistment head, suspected of illicit enrichment, the National Police reported on Aug. 1.
According to the investigation, during Russia's full-scale invasion, the official and his relatives acquired property worth around $350,000, which significantly exceeds his legal income.
The National Police's press service didn't disclose the suspect's name, but it is known from open sources that the chief of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast military recruitment office is Anatolii Pikalo.
At the time of the all-out war, Pikalo allegedly registered several cars and two apartments in Dnipro for his father.
He also registered an enterprise for a family member, which purchased non-residential premises of about 500 square meters, the National Police wrote. "However, no income reports from the business entity were submitted to the tax authorities."
The investigation is ongoing. If convicted of illegal enrichment, Pikalo may face up to 10 years in prison.
Earlier, the former head of Odesa's military enlistment office, Yevhen Borysov, was charged with illicit enrichment and violating the order of military service, later taken into custody.
After journalists discovered that Borysov's family had purchased property worth $4.5 million in Spain during the war, President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered a nationwide inspection of military enlistment offices.
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.
