Moscow and Washington discuss the potential resumption of Russian gas supplies to Europe, among other issues related to the peaceful settlement of Russia's war in Ukraine, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed to the Russian state-run Interfax news agency.
"This is a historic decision, as weapons for Ukraine will be purchased at the expense of the proceeds from frozen Russian assets through the European Peace Fund," Denys Shmyhal said.
Peter Szijjarto's announcement came after Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) allegedly dismantled a Hungarian military intelligence network operating in Zakarpattia Oblast.
The approval marks a key step in international efforts to hold Moscow accountable for what is considered the gravest violation of international law committed against Ukraine.
Although Moscow declared on April 28 that it would halt all military actions from May 8 to midnight on May 11 to mark Victory Day, strikes on civilian areas have continued.
Under Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin's rule, millions of Ukrainians died during the Holodomor, a man-made famine in 1932–1933. The dictator also oversaw mass deportations, purges of Ukrainian intellectuals and leaders, and the suppression of the Ukrainian language and culture.
According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), this marks the first time Ukrainian authorities have exposed a Hungarian military intelligence network conducting activities harmful to Ukraine.
Delegations from 35 countries and the Council of Europe gathered in Lviv as EU officials prepare to approve both new defense aid and steps toward establishing a tribunal for Russian leadership.
The ruling marks a significant victory for RFE/RL amid growing concerns about U.S. funding cuts to independent media countering Russian disinformation.
U.S. Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected the new pope and leader of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, taking the name Pope Leo XIV, a senior cardinal announced on May 8 to crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square, according to Vatican News.
George Simion, leader of Romania's far-right AUR party, who won the first round of the presidential election with nearly 40% of the vote, reiterated that if elected, he would oppose any further assistance to Ukraine and shift Romania’s focus inward.
U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in the Oval Office at the White House on April 17, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional details about the desire to secure a full ceasefire in Ukraine within weeks
U.S. President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni met in Washington on April 17 to discuss a "just and lasting peace" for Ukraine and U.S. tariffs imposed on the EU.
"We have been defending the freedom of Ukraine together," Meloni toldreportersin the Oval Office with Trump.
"We’re going to be hearing from (Russia) this week, very shortly, actually, and we’ll see. But we want (Russia's war) to stop. We want the death and the killing to stop," Trump said.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff are meeting in Paris on April 17 to discuss Ukraine. The U.S. has largely shut Europe out of Ukraine peace talks, raising alarm among European officials.
According to Bloomberg, U.S. officials in Paris expressed a desire to secure a full ceasefire in Ukraine within weeks, as part of a renewed push to end Russia’s war.
Citing unnamed sources familiar with the talks, the publication said the officials were optimistic about achieving significant progress soon. Participants reportedly agreed to coordinate efforts toward that goal.
Meloni called for the U.S. and Europe to work together and stop Russia's war against Ukraine to establish a "just and lasting" peace.
Trump said he's not a "big fan" of President Volodymyr Zelensky. The two leaders got into a heated argument in the White House on Feb. 28.
"I'm not blaming him, but what I am saying is that I wouldn't say he's done the greatest job... I am not a big fan," Trump added.
Trump reiterated previous claims that Russia's war against Ukraine would not be happening if he were in power.
"I don’t hold Zelensky responsible (for Russia's war), but I’m not exactly thrilled with the fact that that war started. That was a war that would have never started if I were president," Trump claimed.
Meloni called for the West to cooperate, receiving agreement from Trump.
"The goal for me is to make the West great again, and I think together we can do that," Meloni said, with Trump adding, "We can."
Meloni has invited Trump to visit Italy amid the 20% tariffs Trump has imposed on the EU, including Italy.
"I cannot lock this deal in the name of the European Union... My goal would be to invite President Trump to pay an official visit to Italy and understand if there’s a possibility when it comes to organize also such a meeting with Europe," Meloni said.
Volodymyr Ivanyshyn is a news editor for The Kyiv Independent. He is pursuing an Honors Bachelor of Arts at the University of Toronto, majoring in political science with a minor in anthropology and human geography. Volodymyr holds a Certificate in Business Fundamentals from Rotman Commerce at the University of Toronto. He previously completed an internship with The Kyiv Independent.
Andrea Januta
