Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Ukraine and its allies discussed tougher sanctions against Russia's banking sector, central bank, and energy industry.
The EU plans to unveil on May 14 its next package of sanctions imposed against Russia over its aggression against Ukraine, an EU official told the Kyiv Independent on condition of anonymity.
Polish truckers plan to restrict freight traffic at the Yahodyn-Dorohusk checkpoint on the Ukrainian border, Ukraine's State Border Guard said on May 12.
"If the Russians are using this level of specialists in urban combat, they are probably facing some difficulties," Ivan Petrychak, spokesperson for the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade, said.
Previously, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk accused the Russian intelligence services of orchestrating a May 2024 arson attack on the Marywilska shopping centre in Warsaw.
"Perhaps in some areas, the intensity decreased slightly to create an image of compliance with their own announcement. But in reality, (Russia) continued attacks every day, using all available weapons — including aircraft to drop guided bombs on Ukraine," Andrii Demchenko, spokesperson for Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service, said.
Beijing supports all efforts toward achieving peace in Ukraine, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on May 12 when asked about Kyiv and Europe's proposal for a 30-day truce.
"I invited His Holiness to make an apostolic visit to Ukraine. Such a visit would bring real hope to all believers and to all our people," Zelensky said.
Presidential Office chief Andriy Yermak voiced doubt about leading negotiations with anyone from Russia except President Vladimir Putin, implying only the Russian leader can make real decisions.
This includes at least seven people injured in drone attacks overnight on May 12, a date from which Kyiv and its allies put forward a demand for a 30-day unconditional truce, a step that Moscow continues to reject.
"When European unity becomes inconvenient, disinformation goes so far as to make a simple tissue look like drugs," the Elysee Palace reacted to a fake story pushed by Russia.
The comments came after Trump urged Ukraine to agree to direct negotiations with Russia, which has invited Kyiv to peace talks in Istanbul on May 15, without first agreeing to halt military operations.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto in Brussels, Sept. 9, 2022. (Thierry Monasse/Getty Images)
Hungary's chief of diplomacy received sharp criticism from his EU colleagues on May 27 over Budapest stalling 6.5 billion euros (around $7.1 billion) in military aid for Ukraine, Le Monde reported, citing its sources.
Hungary is blocking three separate 500-million-euro ($540 million) tranches under the European Peace Facility (EFF) fund, as well as 5 billion euros ($5.4 billion) allocated for the EFF's Ukraine Assistance Fund.
Budapest approved the cash infusion for the Ukraine Assistance Fund in March, but it now refuses to sign off on documents needed to disburse the aid.
As European foreign ministers hoped to finalize the step during their meeting in Brussels on May 27, some criticized Hungary's top diplomat, Peter Szijjarto, over Budapest's opposition.
"The exchange was short but intense," an undisclosed minister told Le Monde.
"I believe that the Hungarian minister understood the exasperation of his colleagues," another source said.
"Tempers ran quite high," a diplomatic source told Reuters, which reported that according to many officials, "the exchanges were among the most heated in years among EU foreign ministers."
"Almost all of our discussions and needed solutions and decisions by (the) EU are being blocked by just one country," Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis told reporters, adding that "about 41% of resolutions by (the) EU on Ukraine have been blocked by Hungary."
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the delay "can be measured in terms of human lives."
According to Reuters, several diplomats said that Hungary's position is in line with Russia's interests, while Hungarian leaders claim they merely advocate for peace.
The situation also prompted discussion among diplomats about how to shield the EU fund from Hungary's veto, especially after the expected influx of around 3 billion euros from frozen Russian assets revenue, Bloomberg wrote.
Budapest has repeatedly opposed Ukraine's accession to NATO and the EU, sanctions on Russia, undermined Western aid efforts for Ukraine, and maintained close relationswith Moscow throughout the full-scale war.
Szijjarto told reporters on May 27 that Hungary faced "huge pressure" but maintained its position. Budapest's agreement is necessary as the additional financing cannot be approved without unanimous support.
Timothy Ash
