The Kyiv Independent’s Chris York sat down with author, historian, and Russia’s Victory Day celebrations on May 9, which mark the Soviet Union’s role in defeating Nazi Germany in World War II, are one of the country’s biggest public events of the year. President of the Ukrainian Society of Switzerland Andrej Lushnycky who sheds some light on the things Putin would rather you didn’t know about World War II.
Washington’s involvement may also help mitigate political opposition in Europe, while giving the U.S. strategic visibility over future Russian energy flows, sources told Reuters.
This is the fourth such tranche from the bloc, which is secured by proceeds from frozen Russian assets.
At least 19 children were killed and 78 injured in April, the highest verified monthly number of child casualties since June 2022.
The agreement, signed on April 30, establishes a joint investment fund between Kyiv and Washington and grants the U.S. special access to projects developing Ukraine's natural resources.
Three women in Kharkiv, believing the truce was in effect, were injured by a Russian drone while gardening.
Russian forces struck the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant with a drone on Feb. 14, breaking through the confinement and creating a 15-meter hole in it.
The denunciation of the convention will take effect six months after the decision is made.
Xi Jinping is one of 27 leaders expected to attend the Victory Day parade in the Russian capital on May 9.
Some 2020 medical facilities were partially damaged, while another 305 were completely destroyed, the ministry's statement read.
The number includes 1,200 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.
"Everyone in Moscow must know that they have to reckon with us. Europe will support Ukraine," German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said.
European Commission recommends granting Ukraine candidate status, reforms must follow

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has issued the commission's ruling, advising EU member states to grant Ukraine and Moldova candidate status.
"We recommend to give Ukraine the candidate status, on the understanding that the country will carry out a number of important reforms," von der Leyen said during a June 17 press conference. "Ukraine has clearly shown commitment to live up to European values and standards."
A similar approach was taken towards Moldova, with von der Leyen stating that Chisinau "has the potential to live up to the criteria."
Ukraine submitted its EU membership application on Feb. 28, four days after Russia launched a full-scale war against the country.
"We ask the European Union for Ukraine’s immediate accession via a new special procedure," President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Feb. 28.
The decision of the European Commission didn't come as a surprise. The day before, leaders of the EU's three largest economies – Germany, France, and Italy – supported Ukraine's bid during a visit to Kyiv.
"Ukraine has already implemented roughly 70% of the EU acquis – that is the rules, the standards and the norms," said the European Commission president, adding that the country has a robust democracy, strong civil society, and the country is on the path to becoming a functioning market economy.
Now, it's up to the 27 member states to officially support Ukraine's bid, a decision which is set to be voted on next week.
Zelensky welcomed the European Commission’s recommendation that Ukraine be granted official candidate status.
“It’s the first step on the EU membership path that will certainly bring our victory closer,” he wrote on Twitter.
Yet, potentially receiving the status is only the beginning, with European Council President von der Leyen acknowledging that Ukraine has a long way to go in terms of reforming the country's judiciary and implementing the rule of law.
Reforming Ukraine
According to von der Leyen, Ukraine has still a long way to go in terms of potential EU accession.
"The focus should now be on speeding up the selection of the judges of the Constitutional Court, as well as the members of the High Council of Justice," said von der Leyen.
After years of delay, the judicial reform law was passed in July 2021, however, the country is yet to see the law's implementation.
A professional judge association, the Council of Judges, delayed delegating members to the Ethics Council, which is to hire and fire High Council of Justice members. The Ethics Council was formed automatically on Nov. 9, yet first, due to sabotage and later due to war, the Council has yet to carry out the intended reform.
On Dec. 1, the Ethics Council met for the first time and chose Lev Kishakevich, a Ukrainian judge, as its chairman and British judge Anthony Hooper as his deputy.
Von der Leyen also pointed out that Ukraine must appoint the head of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, a post that remains vacant since August 2020.
Selection panel meetings have been constantly delayed and disrupted since the office's previous head, Nazar Kholodnytsky, resigned ahead of his term coming to an end.
On Dec. 7, the selection panel announced its scores for the written test of two finalists.
Now, European Commission is expecting the selection panel to appoint the winner.
"Of course, we know that not everything can be achieved as long as the war rages in the country. But many of these issues can nevertheless already be addressed," said von der Leyen.
Most Popular

After Russia's deadly attack on Kyiv, Vance reposts denunciation of Zelensky

Ukraine, Europe's ceasefire proposal includes US security guarantees, no recognition of Crimea, Reuters reports

Shoigu threatens Europe with nuclear weapons if Russia is faced with 'unfriendly actions'

Journalist Roshchyna's body missing organs after Russian captivity, investigation says

Ukrainian sea drone downs Russian fighter jet in 'world-first' strike, intelligence says
Editors' Picks

How medics of Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade deal with horrors of drone warfare

As Russia trains abducted children for war, Ukraine fights uphill battle to bring them home

'I just hate the Russians' — Kyiv district recovers from drone strike as ceasefire remains elusive
