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.
"Think of the hundreds of thousands of lives that will be saved as this never ending 'bloodbath' hopefully comes to an end... I will continue to work with both sides to make sure that it happens."
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius visiting a memorial to the EuroMaidan Revolution in Kyiv in a photo posted on Nov. 21, 2023. (German Defense Ministry/Twitter)
Germany's Defense Minister Boris Pistorius arrived in Kyiv on an unannounced visit, the Defense Ministry reported on Nov. 21.
Pistorius is in Kyiv to "personally see the current situation and the effectiveness of German support," the ministry wrote.
Shortly after arrival, Pistorius visited a memorial to the EuroMaidan revolution and laid flowers in commemoration of those killed, marking the 10th anniversary of the day when the revolution started. Ukraine celebrates the Dignity and Freedom Day on Nov. 21 every year since 2014.
The uprising was sparked in November 2013 after pro-Kremlin President Viktor Yanukovych refused to sign the long-awaited Association Agreement with the European Union.
More than 100 people were killed during the months-long protest turned revolution.
According to Deutsche Welle, citing AFP, the main purpose of the trip was to discuss training programs for Ukrainian soldiers, as well as Germany's continuing military aid for Ukraine.
It is Pistorius' second visit to Kyiv since he became Defense Minister in January 2023.
He will meet with his Ukrainian counterpart, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, as well as with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Pistorius' arrival in Kyiv came one day after another unannounced visit to the Ukrainian capital by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Germany is the world's second-biggest provider of military aid to Ukraine after the U.S.
Nate Ostiller is a former News Editor at the Kyiv Independent. He works on special projects as a researcher and writer for The Red Line Podcast, covering Eastern Europe and Eurasia, and focused primarily on digital misinformation, memory politics, and ethnic conflict. Nate has a Master’s degree in Russian and Eurasian Studies from the University of Glasgow, and spent two years studying abroad at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy in Ukraine. Originally from the USA, he is currently based in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Alexander Khrebet
