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 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.
Andriy Yermak, Zelensky's chief of staff, said that the new pontiff had a phone call with Zelensky on Monday, during which the pope expressed willingness to facilitate meetings between global leaders and vowed to support efforts for "a just and lasting peace."
In an interview with French broadcaster TF1 on May 13, Macron discussed new Russia sanctions and stationing French nuclear weapons in other European countries as a deterrent against Russia.
Performing their song "Bird of Pray," Ukrainian band Ziferblat passed the Eurovision semi-finals on May 13, qualifying Ukraine for the grand final on May 17.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that a Russian delegation will be in Istanbul on May 15 for direct peace talks with Ukraine. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Putin’s foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov will likely represent Russia.
The move follows Ukraine's ratification of the minerals agreement, deepening U.S.-Ukraine economic ties and signaling expanded U.S. involvement in Ukraine's long-term recovery.
Lawmaker Oleksandr Dubinsky at the Pechersk District Court in Kyiv on Nov. 14, 2023. (Hennadii Minchenko/Ukrinform)
Lawmaker Oleksandr Dubinsky is headed to trial on previously announced charges of falsifying documents intended for an official trip abroad, the State Bureau of Investigation said on Jan. 9. Dubinsky is accused of going on vacation to Italy, Spain, and Croatia instead.
In other proceedings, Dubinsky was charged with treason and taking part in a criminal organization following his arrest in mid-November over working for Russian intelligence services.
Former pro-Russian lawmaker Andrii Derkach and others are also considered suspects in this case. They allegedly colluded to spread false information intended to discredit Ukraine and the West.
The bureau did not explicitly mention Dubinsky by name, but the facts of the case made it clear that he was the individual in question.
An investigation into Dubinsky's unsanctioned foreign trips was first announced in August 2023.
Authorities believe he traveled under the pretext of accompanying his father for medical treatment outside of Ukraine. However, Dubinsky's father went abroad without him and returned to Ukraine before the lawmaker, who allegedly spent several weeks on vacation.
Under martial law in place since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Ukrainian men aged 18-60 are prohibited from leaving the country, barring special circumstances. Politicians are allowed to go on official trips.
Dubinsky has also been charged for violating martial law by allegedly helping the brother of his civil partner illegally leave Ukraine.
He is currently in detention, awaiting trial in the treason case.
Daria Shulzhenko
