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.
French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech at the Globsec regional security forum in Bratislava, Slovakia, on May 31, 2023. (Michal Cizek/AFP via Getty Images)
French President Emmanuel Macron promised to impose new sanctions on Russia if it rejects an unconditional ceasefire. He also suggested that France is open to stationing its nuclear weapons in other European countries as a deterrent against Russia.
Macron spoke on a number of issues during an an interview with French broadcaster TF1 on May 13, including new sanctions and nuclear defense against Russia.
Together with other European countries and the United States, Macron said that France is preparing a new sanctions package against Russia in the event that it rejects an unconditional ceasefire in its war against Ukraine.
According to Macron, the European Commission is preparing the sanctions "in the coming days" and will target Russian financial services and oil and gas.
Macron added that the goal of Ukraine, France, and allied European countries is a ceasefire "on land, in the air and at sea... (and) to discuss the issue of territories and security guarantees."
The French president also said he was “ready to open a discussion” with allied European countries about stationing France’s nuclear weapons on their territory as a deterrent against Russian aggression.
Macron's sanctions comments echo those of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who recently threatened "significant tightening" of Russia sanctions ahead of the peace talks in Istanbul.
After rejecting a 30-day unconditional ceasefire backed by Europe, Ukraine, and the United States, Russian President Vladimir Putin invited Ukraine to engage in direct talks in Istanbul on May 15.
While it remains unclear whether Putin himself will attend the talks, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Russia will send a delegation to the negotiations.
Depending on the outcome of the Istanbul peace talks, Europe and the U.S. are prepared to take punitive measures against Russia, including "bone-crushing" sanctions.
Kateryna Hodunova
