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.
"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.
Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik (L) and Hungarian Foreign and Trade Minister Peter Szijjarto sign a report on Hungarian-Belarusian Economic Cooperation at press conference after their meeting in Budapest, Hungary, on April 12, 2023. (Gergely Besenyei/AFP via Getty Images)
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto visited the Belarusian capital, Minsk, on Oct. 26 to take part in the “Eurasian Security: Reality and Prospects in a Transforming World” conference, Belarusian state-run news agency BelTA said.
It was Szijjarto's second visit to Belarus in 2023.
He has also visited Russia five times since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, most recently on Oct. 12.
According to comments reported by BelTA, Szijjarto spoke at the conference, expressing his gratitude for having been invited. He also met with his Belarusian counterpart, Sergei Aleinik.
Szijjarto said he gladly accepted the invitation despite the fact that he "risk(s) being seriously criticized for the decision in some parts of Europe."
“Unfortunately, it would not be an exaggeration to say that global security is now in the most terrible shape since the end of the Cold War,” he added.
Hungary has maintained ties with Russia even after the beginning of the full-scale invasion and has repeatedly stalled sanctions against Russia and aid for Ukraine.
It has also delayed the ratification of new members Finland and Sweden into NATO. Hungary finally ratified Finland's accession to the alliance nine months after the original application.
Even after the other remaining holdout, Turkey, agreed to move forward with Sweden's accession on Oct. 23, Szijjarto said, "This changes nothing on our side."
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban previously said in September that Hungary was in no rush to ratify Sweden's membership.
Francis Farrell
