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."
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the Chariman of the Joint Chiefs of Staffs Mark Miley after the conclusion of the 12th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Ramstein, Germany. (Source: Secretary of Defense / Twitter official)
The members of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which meets in Germany’s Ramstein Air Base, pledged to provide $65 billion of military aid to Ukraine, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said during an opening address at the summit on May 25.
Austin singled out pledged military aid from Germany, Denmark, and France that is set to include tanks, armored vehicles, and air defense systems, among others.
Similarly, Spain has pledged to supply four more Leopard 2A4 tanks – in addition to the six tanks earlier sent by Madrid – and a batch of M-113 armored vehicles.
Lithuania also presented a fresh aid package during the Ramstein meeting, promising to supply Kyiv with anti-drone equipment, ammunition, food rations, and more.
The U.S. Defense Secretary highlighted the recent packages from the United States, such as HIMARS ammunition, anti-tank systems, laser-guided rocket, and 155-millimeter artillery rounds.
“We've trained nine motorized and mechanized brigades, and continue to execute collective training for Ukrainian combat units,” Austin said.
"Putin was hoping that our resolve would fade. And he was betting that our unity would crack. Instead, we remain as united as ever. And the whole world can see it.”
Ramstein summits have been held since April 2022 to coordinate efforts to provide military aid to Ukraine.
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The Kyiv Independent news desk
