Norway's Crown Prince Haakon arrives in Ukraine in historic visit
Crown Prince Haakon of Norway arrived in Ukraine on May 20, marking the first visit by a member of the Norwegian royal family during Russia's invasion.
Ukraine
'Russia is trying to buy time to continue the war' — Zelensky says after Putin-Trump call
"Clear and realistic proposals must be on the table. Ukraine is ready for any effective negotiation format. And if Russia continues to put forward unrealistic conditions and undermine possible results, there must be harsh consequences," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
'Status quo hasn't changed' — Ukraine reacts to Putin-Trump call
Putin and Trump held a phone call on May 19, during which the Russian leader refused to agree to a ceasefire and instead declared readiness to negotiate a "memorandum regarding a potential future peace treaty."
Ukraine's French-trained brigade faces fresh misconduct allegations; Ground Forces commander launches probe
Ukrainska Pravda published an investigation into a possible involvement of the brigade's command in handing out falsified bonus payments and demanding bribes.
As Russia’s fiber optic drones flood the battlefield, Ukraine is racing to catch up
Editor’s Note: In accordance with the security protocols of the Ukrainian military, soldiers featured in this story are identified by first names and callsigns only. Every year, as the way war is fought constantly evolves on the battlefields of Ukraine, the visuals of the fighting on the ground that
Russian attacks kill 1, injure 13 in Ukraine over past day
Ukrainian air defenses intercepted 93 of the 108 Shahed-type attack drones and decoy drones launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force said. Thirty-five of them were shot down, while 58 were neutralized by electronic warfare systems, according to the statement.
Ukraine could launch war crime probe against Kim Jong Un over backing Russia, former ICC chief says
There are sufficient legal grounds for Ukraine to initiate a case against North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un for assisting Russia in the war, according to Song Sang-hyun, former president of the ICC.
General Staff: Russia has lost 975,800 troops in Ukraine since Feb. 24, 2022
The number includes 1,030 casualties Russian forces suffered just over the past day.
Nearly 56,000 residents evacuated from Sumy Oblast, additional efforts ongoing, governor says
Currently, over 86,000 residents are subject to mandatory evacuation orders in the region, with approximately 65% of the population having already evacuated, Sumy Oblast Governor Oleh Hryhorov told Suspilne Sumy.
Romania’s new president faces daunting challenges after surprise victory over far-right upstart
There was a wave of euphoria and relief across Europe following the election of pro-European liberal Nicusor Dan as Romania’s new president. “For Ukraine — as a neighbour and friend — it is important to have Romania as a reliable partner. And we are confident we will,” said President Volodymyr Zelensky
Trump threatens to 'back away' from Ukraine-Russia peace talks if progress is not made
"I tell you, big egos involved, but I think something's going to happen. And if it doesn't, I just back away, and they're going to have to keep going," U.S. President Donald Trump said.
Trump says he will not impose new sanctions on Russia
“Because I think there’s a chance of getting something done, and if you do that, you could also make it much worse," Trump told reporters from the Oval Office on May 19.
Trump says he trusts Putin, won't sanction Russia, prepared to 'back away' from Ukraine peace talks
U.S. President Donald Trump, in separate statements, told reporters on May 19 that he trusts Russian President Vladimir Putin, will not sanction Russia, but will abandon Ukraine peace efforts if progress is not made.
Ukraine war latest: Putin refuses ceasefire after Trump call; Zelensky rejects Russia's demand to withdraw troops from 4 regions
Key developments on May 19: * After call with Trump, Putin still refuses full ceasefire, again cites Russia's 'root causes' of war in Ukraine * Zelensky dismisses Putin's demand to withdraw troops from 4 Ukrainian regions * Commander of Ukraine's 59th Brigade replaced, media reports * Ukrainian drones destroy Russian radar, supply depots on
Trump seeks direct peace talks between Ukraine, Russia, Zelensky says
"For Trump, the most important thing is direct talks between Ukraine and Russia," President Volodymyr Zelensky said, adding that Defense Minister Rustem Umerov and Russian President Vladimir Putin's adviser, Vladimir Medinsky, held a call on May 19 and discussed a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange.
'Strong EU sanctions' coming soon, US expected to sanction Russian banks, energy, Zelensky says
Ukraine knows the date that the EU package will go into effect, though the president did not share that detail in his remarks. Zelensky also said he expects the U.S. to impose sanctions 'when they see fit.'
Ukraine eyes peace talks with Russia, US, and EU in neutral venue, possibly Vatican, Zelensky says
President Volodymyr Zelensky on May 19 said that Kyiv is exploring the possibility of a meeting with delegations from Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and the EU in Turkey, the Vatican, or Switzerland.
Zelensky dismisses Putin's demand to withdraw troops from 4 Ukrainian regions
"It means that they (Russia) don't want peace," President Volodymyr Zelensky said. "If they demand what they know we won't agree to," he added.
'It's our land' — Zelensky responds to Putin's call with Trump
A source in the President's Office told the Kyiv Independent that Trump and Zelensky spoke twice on May 19 — once before the scheduled call with Putin and again after it.
After call with Trump, Putin still refuses full ceasefire, again cites Russia's 'root causes' of war in Ukraine
The Russian president made no mention of an immediate and unconditional ceasefire — the key demand pushed by U.S. President Donald Trump and accepted by Ukraine back in March.
Ukraine’s mental health workers tackle war trauma and Soviet stigma in front-line regions
Editor’s note: In accordance with newsroom policy on reporting on children and the policies of organizations interviewed, the Kyiv Independent is not using the names of children under 18 or the last names of their parents who appear in this story. When the children arrive at a basement shelter
Trump calls Putin after Ukraine, Russia peace talks in Istanbul
The call comes days after largely inconclusive negotiations in Istanbul, where Russia sent a delegation of low-level officials and reiterated sweeping territorial demands, including that Ukraine accept the loss of Crimea and four eastern regions.
'Need to put pressure on Russia to end the war,' Zelensky says hours before Trump-Putin call
Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who led Ukraine's delegation in Turkey, briefed President Volodymyr Zelensky on the Istanbul talks.
EU coordinating next Russia sanctions with US, Germany says
Washington's participation in a potential sanctions package would be "very central," German government spokesperson Stefan Cornelius said.
Ukraine 'not yet in worst-case scenario,' McCain Institute head says
In October of last year, just days before the U.S. presidential election, Head of the McCain Institute Evelyn Farkas told the Kyiv Independent that a Donald Trump victory would be the "worst-case scenario" for Ukraine. In the months since, a victorious Trump has taken office, dismantled the global post-World
'It is important that support for Ukraine continues' — Zelensky congratulates Romania's President-elect Dan after election
"We are deeply grateful for Romania’s contribution to protecting the lives of our people. It is important that support for Ukraine continues," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Aestheticized aggression — why Gosha Rubchinskiy’s ‘Victory Day’ photo book is Russian propaganda
Russia's war against Ukraine is waged not only with missiles and tanks, but with distorted myths — powerful narratives that romanticize empire, rewrite history, and embolden Russian soldiers to reduce once prosperous cities to rubble. Those very same myths surfaced at the Photo London Festival from May 15 to 18, where
Ukrainian detained in Poland for allegedly smuggling migrants across Belarus border
According to an official statement, Polish officers stopped a Mazda car for inspection and discovered the 36-year-old woman behind the wheel, along with five Afghan nationals in the vehicle.
Commander of Ukraine's 59th Brigade replaced, media reports
Lieutenant Colonel Bohdan Shevchuk was dismissed as the commander of the 59th Brigade of the Unmanned Systems Forces and replaced by Colonel Oleksandr Sak, Ukrainska Pravda reported, citing its sources in the brigade.
Kremlin confirms Putin-Trump call on May 19 to discuss Istanbul peace talks
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the conversation between the two leaders is scheduled for 5 p.m. local time and will "reflect the outcomes of last week’s negotiations in Istanbul" between Russian and Ukrainian delegations.
Finland to send ammunition to Ukraine using proceeds from frozen Russian assets
Under the agreement, Finland will provide 90 million euros (approximately $100 million) worth of heavy ammunition procured from domestic suppliers.
Russian attacks kill 2, injure 13 in Ukraine over past 24 hours
Ukrainian air defenses shot down 41 of the 112 Russian attack drones and other drones launched overnight, the Air Force said. Thirty-five drones were neutralized by electronic warfare systems, according to the statement.
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