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.
"Ukraine has initiated a coordinated campaign to vilify Hungary in order to undermine our initiative to hold a poll on (Kyiv's) EU membership," Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that further concessions from Ukraine during negotiations would be unreasonable if Russia continues to attack civilian targets.
U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg, will travel to Istanbul for possible peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, Reuters reported on May 13, citing three undisclosed sources.
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.
A Ukrainian tank crew receives training on the maintenance of Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks at a military training ground of the Bundeswehr on May 05, 2023 near Klietz, Germany. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Germany has handed over 10 Leopard 1 A5 tanks, five Warthog armored ambulances, and 10 Vector reconnaissance drones, among other defense assistance in its latest aid delivery to Ukraine, the German government announced on Nov. 13.
The Leopard tanks and Vector drones come from industry stocks financed by German funds for security capacity building, as do 14 Bandvagn all-terrain vehicles.
Germany has additionally delivered 1,000 rounds of 155mm ammunition, 10,000 safety glasses, and 1.4 million rounds of small arms ammunition.
A number of vehicles are included in the delivery, including 16 more Zetros trucks, three border protection vehicles, and a mine clearing tank, all of which also come from industry stocks.
Germany also sent 14 ground surveillance radars.
The new deliveries bring the total number of Leopard 1 tanks Ukraine has received from the German government to 30.
Germany is the world's second biggest provider of military aid to Ukraine after the United States.
German Finance Minister Christian Lindner said in August that Germany plans to provide Ukraine with 5 billion euros ($5.3 billion) in annual military aid until 2027.
Nate Ostiller
