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.
The aftermath of a Russian missile attack against Kharkiv on May 23, 2024. (Francis Farrell/The Kyiv Independent)
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba on May 23 again urged Kyiv's partners to provide additional Patriot air defense systems after Russia launched a deadly missile attack against Kharkiv Oblast.
Russian forces launched strikes targeting both Kharkiv and other settlements in the region, killing at least seven people and injuring dozens.
"This heinous attack must remind everyone around the world that Ukraine still urgently needs seven 'Patriot' systems," Kuleba said on X, thanking Germany for pledging an additional system last month.
"But getting six more as soon as possible remains critical not only for Ukraine’s survival but for peace in Europe.
"Everyone should clearly realize what is at stake. Every day of delay and debate not only costs lives but also brings the possibility of a larger war in Europe closer."
Germany took the lead in mobilizing air defense support for Kyiv, launching an initiative to secure additional anti-aircraft batteries that could be shipped to Ukraine.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said in Kyiv on May 21 that the initiative had already collected "almost a billion euros" as several allies provided financial contributions.
Partners are largely unwilling to commit to sending full systems, however, Politico reported, citing two undisclosed sources.
While Ukraine has been calling mainly for Patriots, the initiative also covers other systems, like SAMP/T, NASAMS, Hawk, IRIS-T, or S-300. The Italian media reported earlier in May that Rome plans to send an additional SAMP/T system to Ukraine in the next aid package, but no announcement has been made so far.
Nico Lange, a former chief of staff at Germany's Defense Ministry and a fellow at the think tank CEPA, told Politico that the sense of urgency in Europe "has not increased, there's more a sense of relief now that the Americans are delivering again."
Bloomberg reportedlast week that Washington is considering sending another Patriot system to Ukraine.
Ukraine currently operates at least three Patriots, with the systems and accompanying equipment provided by the U.S., Germany, and the Netherlands.
Martin Fornusek is a news editor at the Kyiv Independent. He has previously worked as a news content editor at the media company Newsmatics and is a contributor to Euromaidan Press. He was also volunteering as an editor and translator at the Czech-language version of Ukraïner. Martin studied at Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia, holding a bachelor's degree in security studies and history and a master's degree in conflict and democracy studies.
Martin Fornusek
