More than 1,000 Russian government entities and 1,200 private companies are involved in the economy of occupied Mariupol, a major southeastern city occupied by Russia after it invaded Ukraine in 2022, according to a research paper published on May 14.
The measures target almost 200 ships of Russia's "shadow fleet," 30 companies involved in sanctions evasion, 75 sanctions on entities and individuals linked to the Russian military-industrial complex, and more.
The government has approved "reform roadmaps in the rule of law, public administration, and democratic institutions, as well as Ukraine’s negotiation position," Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said.
The statement did not name the ex-official by name, but details of the case indicate it relates to Oleh Hladkovsky, a former deputy secretary of Ukraine's top security body who has been wanted since mid-April.
Brazilian President Lula da Silva claimed that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha had appealed to his Brazilian counterpart, Mauro Vieira, to ask Putin if he was willing to conclude a peace agreement.
"Trump needs to believe that Putin actually lies," Zelensky told journalists in Kyiv. "And we should do our part. Sensibly approach this issue, to show that it’s not us that is slowing down the process."
The EU plans to significantly increase tariffs on Ukrainian goods after the current duty-free deal lapses on June 6, the Financial Times reported on May 14, citing undisclosed diplomatic sources.
The blockade ended at 10:30 p.m. local time. Truck traffic in both directions is now moving as usual, according to Ukraine's State Border Guard's statement.
Russia seems to be preparing a significant offensive in Ukraine as it is moving troops toward key positions on the front, the Financial Times reported on May 13, citing undisclosed Ukrainian intelligence officials.
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.
EU leaders at a summit in Brussels on Oct. 27. L-R: Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe, Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel. (Thierry Monasse/Getty Images)
The European Council discussed ongoing and future security commitments to Ukraine at its meeting in Brussels on Oct. 26 and 27, according to a document published by the Council.
The Council promised "to provide strong financial, economic, humanitarian, military and diplomatic support to Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes."
The report detailed both urgent and long-term security needs. Due to the increase in Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, the Council agreed to provide "power generators, power transformers, mobile heating stations, and high-voltage and lighting equipment" to see Ukraine through the winter.
Members also discussed military aid, and concluded that Ukraine's most pressing defense needs included ammunition and air defense systems. The Council report said it was important to accelerate these provisions, particularly the initative to supply Ukraine with one million rounds of ammunition.
Regarding long-term security committments, the Council called upon the EU's High Representative, Josep Borrell, to hold consultations with Ukraine and report the conclusions of those discussions at the next Council meeting in December.
The Council further promised to build international support for the Ukrainian peace formula, find ways to channel revenues from frozen Russian assets to Ukraine, and strengthen sanctions against Russia.
The European Council also pledged to support Moldova "in addressing the challenges it faces as a consequence of the Russian aggression against Ukraine."
The next meeting of the European Council will take place on December 14-15.
Abbey Fenbert is a senior news editor at the Kyiv Independent. She is a freelance writer, editor, and playwright with an MFA from Boston University. Abbey served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ukraine from 2008-2011.
