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."
Soldiers with Ukraine's 32nd Mechanized Brigade cross a field in May. (Oleksandr Bordian / Courtesy)
Ukraine's infantry has advanced to positions closer to Verbove, a village southeast of the strategic front-line city of Orikhiv, bypassing anti-tank ditches and obstacles, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in its latest report on Sept. 5.
The ISW also reported that another Ukrainian infantry group advanced toward Russian defensive positions between Robotyne (10 kilometers south of Orikhiv) and Novoprokopivka (13 kilometers south of Orikhiv).
According to the think tank, Ukrainian forces are widening the breach they have already made into one of Russia's defensive layers, maneuvering more equipment and personnel into the tactical rear.
Ukraine is also reportedly making gains in the immediate vicinity of the not-yet-breached Russian defensive layer that runs from northwest of Verbove to the north of Solodka Balka (located 20 kilometers south of Orikhiv) with infantry assaults and heavy artillery fire on Russian positions.
The ISW suggests that Ukrainian forces intend to hold these positions, although it notes that it's too early to say whether they have breached Russian defenses in the area.
Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar reported on Sept. 4 that Ukraine’s military has made gains near Klishchiivka, some five kilometers from Bakhmut, and Novoprokopivka south of Robotyne.
Ukrainian forces have liberated three square kilometers around Bakhmut over the past week, Maliar said.
According to the official, Ukraine has regained a total of 47 square kilometers of land in this area since the start of the summer counteroffensive.
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.
Francis Farrell
