The new tranche brings total recent EU defense support for Ukraine to 3.3 billion euros ($3.6 billion), marking a significant expansion of European efforts to boost Kyiv's defense industry.
"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.
Both men face charges related to terrorism and espionage. Daniil B. was detained in Lithuania, where he is in temporary custody, while Oleksandr V. remains at large in Russia.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Ukraine and its allies discussed tougher sanctions against Russia's banking sector, central bank, and energy industry.
"We are ready for all options. But of course, we are separately waiting for a response on the ceasefire," a source close to President Volodymyr Zelensky told the Kyiv Independent.
The EU plans to unveil on May 14 its next package of sanctions imposed against Russia over its aggression against Ukraine, an EU official told the Kyiv Independent on condition of anonymity.
Polish truckers plan to restrict freight traffic at the Yahodyn-Dorohusk checkpoint on the Ukrainian border, Ukraine's State Border Guard said on May 12.
"If the Russians are using this level of specialists in urban combat, they are probably facing some difficulties," Ivan Petrychak, spokesperson for the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade, said.
Previously, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk accused the Russian intelligence services of orchestrating a May 2024 arson attack on the Marywilska shopping centre in Warsaw.
"Perhaps in some areas, the intensity decreased slightly to create an image of compliance with their own announcement. But in reality, (Russia) continued attacks every day, using all available weapons — including aircraft to drop guided bombs on Ukraine," Andrii Demchenko, spokesperson for Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service, said.
Beijing supports all efforts toward achieving peace in Ukraine, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on May 12 when asked about Kyiv and Europe's proposal for a 30-day truce.
"I invited His Holiness to make an apostolic visit to Ukraine. Such a visit would bring real hope to all believers and to all our people," Zelensky said.
Presidential Office chief Andriy Yermak voiced doubt about leading negotiations with anyone from Russia except President Vladimir Putin, implying only the Russian leader can make real decisions.
DJI Matrice 300 reconnaissance drones, bought through the 'Army of Drones' program, are seen during test flights in the Kyiv region on Aug. 2, 2022, prior to being sent to the front line. (Sergei Supinsky/AFP via Getty Images)
The government approved on Feb. 1 a resolution to process defense procurement in the competitive procedure of the Prozorro system, among other steps aimed at improving the efficiency of defense production.
Prozorro is Ukraine's electronic public procurement system, designed to increase transparency and competition in the bidding process.
Launched in 2016, it is designed to streamline the process for companies to participate in bids and track the entire procurement process electronically, helping to reduce corruption and improve efficiency.
"This solves several issues at the same time. Firstly, we can guarantee continuous, stable, and manageable supplies for our military," said Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal during a governmental meeting on Feb. 1.
"Secondly, we establish transparent pricing, making sure that the state doesn't overpay and businesses make a profit. Thirdly, we are installing safeguards to prevent leaks of sensitive information."
The government approved two additional resolutions related to the defense sector. One was aimed at the deregulation of ammunition production for drones by "improving the procedure for registering manufacturers."
"New businesses will be able to get up and running quickly. In this way, we will strengthen our army in the shortest possible time," Shmyhal said.
Expanding on a project launched last summer, the government hopes to expand the list of potential manufacturers while cutting down the red tape.
"In six months, over 10 manufacturers were registered, more than 20 ammunition types were put into operation, and another 30 are at various stages of testing," the prime minister noted.
The third resolution concerns drone production pricing. According to the motion, manufacturers should now clarify price calculations if their profit exceeds 25%.
Several top Ukrainian officials underscored the importance of drones in the full-scale war with Russia.
Strategic Industries Minister Oleksandr Kamyshin noted the favorable "cost to kill" ratio of drones compared to other, more expensive systems, like missiles.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Jan. 29 that surpassing Russia in drone production is one of the main tasks for 2024. He also previously revealed that Ukraine aims to produce 1 million drones this year.
According to Kamyshin, Ukraine produced 50,000 first-person-view (FPV) drones in December 2023. He also added that the country aims to massively scale up its production of drones to tens of thousands per month.
Martin Fornusek
