The measures target almost 200 ships of Russia's "shadow fleet," 30 companies involved in sanctions evasion, 75 sanctions on entities and individuals linked to the Russian military-industrial complex, and more.
The EU plans to significantly increase tariffs on Ukrainian goods after the current duty-free deal lapses on June 6, the Financial Times reported on May 14, citing undisclosed diplomatic sources.
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.
Georgian opposition holds a rally in protection of independent media in Tbilisi, Georgia, on May 18, 2022, after Nika Gvaramia, an anchor and owner of the pro-opposition Mtavari TV, was sentenced to three and a half years behind bars.(Photo by Vano Shlamov / AFP)
Most Georgian citizens consider Russia to be their country's main enemy, and this figure has increased compared to previous years, according to the Caucasus Barometer survey by the Caucasus Research Resource Center (CRRC).
The Caucasus Barometer is an annual survey of socio-economic issues and political views conducted by the Caucasus Research Resource Center (CRRC) in Armenia and Georgia.
The poll was conducted from April 16 to May 13 in all regions of Georgia except for the occupied territories controlled by Russian proxies and local collaborators. Some 1,509 people participated in the survey.
According to the survey, 69% of respondents consider Russia to be Georgia's main enemy. In a similar study in 2021, the number was 66%; in 2019, 49%; in 2017, 40%; and in 2012, 35%.
The number of those who believe that Georgia has no enemies has remained unchanged over the past 12 years – 4%.
Four percent of survey participants perceive the U.S. as an enemy, while 2% of respondents identify Turkey as an enemy.
When asked which country is currently Georgia's main friend, most respondents chose the U.S. (24%), Azerbaijan (8%), and Ukraine (7%).
Turkey and Germany were mentioned by 4% each, while Russia was mentioned by only 2%. More than a quarter of respondents (26%) believe Georgia has no friends.
The survey was conducted when the ruling Georgian Dream party passed the foreign agents law, which requires organizations that receive foreign funding to be labeled as "foreign agents" and mirrors repressive Russian legislation used to crack down on Kremlin regime critics.
The controversial legislation sparked large-scale protests in the country, which escalated to violent incidents as police officers tried to quell the demonstrations with water cannons and rubber bullets.
Kateryna Hodunova is a News Editor at the Kyiv Independent. She previously worked as a sports journalist in several Ukrainian outlets and was the deputy chief editor at Suspilne Sport. Kateryna covered the 2022 Olympics in Beijing and was included in the Special Mentions list at the AIPS Sport Media Awards. She holds a bachelor's degree in political journalism from Taras Shevchenko University and a master's degree in political science from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.
Peter Leonard
