U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce called for "concrete proposals from both sides" in order for Washington to "move forward" in peace negotiations.
"If they speak to each other in Russian, he doesn't know what they are saying," one Western official told NBC News. Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia, called Witkoff's approach "a very bad idea."
Tougher sanctions "should be applied to (Russia's) banking and energy sectors, targeting fossil fuels, oil, and the shadow fleet," the leaders of Ukraine, the U.K., France, Germany, and Poland said in a joint statement.
"Russia is ready for negotiations without any preconditions," Putin claimed in an address marking the end of the three-day Victory Day ceasefire. He invited Ukraine to begin talks in Istanbul on May 15.
While serving as a bishop in Peru, Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, called the full-scale war "a true invasion, imperialist in nature, where Russia seeks to conquer territory for reasons of power."
Speaking to CNN on May 10, Peskov commented on the latest ceasefire proposal from Ukraine and Europe, responding that Russia needs to "think about" it, but is "resistant" to pressure.
Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv on May 10, President Volodymyr Zelensky rebuked the idea of a demilitarized zone in the war and emphasized the importance of first securing a ceasefire.
"We agreed that a full and unconditional ceasefire must begin on Monday, May 12, for at least 30 days. We jointly demand this from Russia, and we know we are supported in this by the United States," Zelensky said.
Ukrainian media outlet ZN.UA reported on May 10 that their law enforcement sources confirmed an ongoing probe by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau into suspected embezzlement, money laundering and bribery.
Iran is preparing to send Russia Fath-360 short-range ballistic missile launchers, Reuters reported on May 9, citing Western security and regional officials familiar with the matter.
A pedestrian walks past a mural depicting Russia's mercenary force Wagner Group reading: "Wagner Group - Russian knights" on a wall in Belgrade, on Nov. 17, 2022. (Oliver Bunic / AFP via Getty Images)
The Russian Wagner mercenary company continues to use intermediaries to buy equipment in China for its activities in Ukraine and Africa.
This reveals the inability of Western sanctions to successfully cut supply streams from the group, Financial Times reports.
Wagner’s founder Yevgeny Prigozhin uses the Russia-based company called Broker Expert, which is free of any Western sanctions, as a front for procurements.
At the end of 2022, Broker Expert bought 20,000 helmets for Wagner from a minor Chinese company Hangzhou Shinerain Import And Export Co.
Through these channels, Prigozhin manages to equip and supply his contractors deployed in Ukraine, as well as in the Central African Republic and other African countries.
The Chinese company denied any knowledge of Broker Expert’s connection to Wagner, treating it as a regular sale. As a China-based entity, the company has no obligation to follow Western sanctions.
It is also unclear whether Beijing is aware of these activities.
Washington has previously voiced concern about China government aiding Russia’s war effort, and specifically about Chinese companies providing non-lethal aid.
The United States labeled Wagner as an “international criminal organization” and applied sanctions on entities connected to the mercenary group, seeking to disrupt its network.
The case of Broker Expert illustrates how Prigozhin continues to use loopholes in Western sanctions, using sanction-free fronts and third countries.
Apart from China, Wagner has also bought weapons from North Korea and sought to buy arms from a NATO member – Turkey.
According to the U.S. estimates, Wagner fields around 50,000 contractors in Ukraine. They are responsible for numerous war crimes in Ukraine and have been sanctioned by Western countries.
The Kremlin grows increasingly reliant on the group as one of its more capable military forces. It appears that Prigozhin seeks to leverage this fact, as he more openly challenges Russian military and political leadership.
Watch also our video on the growth of Russian 'PMCs'
We are the news team of the Kyiv Independent. We are here to make sure our readers get quick, essential updates about the events in Ukraine. Feel free to contact us via email with feedback and news alerts.
