The blockade ended at 10:30 p.m. local time. Truck traffic in both directions is now moving as usual, according to Ukraine's State Border Guard's statement.
Russia seems to be preparing a significant offensive in Ukraine as it is moving troops toward key positions on the front, the Financial Times reported on May 13, citing undisclosed Ukrainian intelligence officials.
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.
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.
Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba speaks to a journalist in Kyiv on Aug. 16, 2023. (Photo by Roman PilipeyAFP via Getty Images)
The Black Sea Grain Initiative "must be restored," but not at the expense of accepting blackmail, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told journalists on Sept. 4.
He was responding to Russian President Vladimir Putin's claims earlier today that Russia won't resume the Black Sea Grain Initiative without the West lifting sanctions relating to Russian grain and fertilizers.
Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spent the day discussing the potential restoration of the Black Sea Grain Initiative in Sochi.
Erdogan told the press that he hopes a solution will be reached soon and that "Ukraine needs to soften its approach in order to take joint steps with Russia."
Kuleba argued that Putin cannot be trusted. "If we make concessions now," Russia will come back "a month later and put forward new terms," Kuleba said.
He emphasized that there were "no legal or political grounds for the Russians to withdraw from the agreement."
However, the Ukrainian Foreign Minister underlined there are "trusted relations" between Ukraine and Turkey.
He pointed out that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan was recently in Kyiv, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss Russia's blockade of the Black Sea grain corridor.
He said he expects Erdogan will be in contact with Zelensky to discuss the details of his negotiations with Putin.
Moscow withdrew from the Black Sea grain deal on July 17, causing spikes in wheat prices and fears about food security worldwide.
The agreement previously allowed Ukraine to export its grain through its Black Sea ports amid the ongoing Russian full-scale invasion.
Turkey, positioning itself as a mediator between Ukraine and Russia, played an important role in brokering the grain deal in July 2022. Since the agreement's collapse, Ankara has been in contact with both Kyiv and Moscow, discussing the options for its restoration.
Elsa Court
