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.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that further concessions from Ukraine during negotiations would be unreasonable if Russia continues to attack civilian targets.
U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg, will travel to Istanbul for possible peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, Reuters reported on May 13, citing three undisclosed sources.
Ukrainian tank crews arrive in the United Kingdom for training on the Challenger 2 tanks, which the U.K. pledged to provide Ukraine with. (UK Defense Ministry/Twitter)
The Ukrainian tank crews have arrived in the U.K. to begin training on Challenger 2 main battle tanks, the U.K. Defense Ministry said on Jan. 29.
"Ukrainian tank crews have arrived in the U.K. to begin training for their continued fight against Russia," the ministry wrote.
On Jan. 14, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the delivery of 14 Challenger 2 tanks as part of a major new package of military aid for Ukraine. Tanks are expected to arrive at the end of March, Alex Chalk, a top official at the U.K. Defense Department, said on Jan. 26.
President Volodymyr Zelensky told Sky News that Ukraine needs up to 500 tanks. His comments came after the U.S., U.K., and Germany announced the delivery of dozens of modern tanks.
U.S. President Joe Biden announced the decision to send 31 M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine on Jan. 25. The same day, Germany confirmed it would send 14 Leopard 2 and authorize other countries to send their own Leopard 2 tanks.
Several countries, including Poland and Canada, already announced they would also deliver Germany-produced tanks to Ukraine after that.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Leopard 2 tanks would arrive in Ukraine in late March or early April. U.S.-produced Abrams tanks “will take many months before they can get on the ground” in Ukraine, John Kirby, a White House national security spokesperson, said on Jan. 27.
Compared with Soviet tanks, which Ukraine and Russia currently use on the battlefield, the mobility and firepower of Western equipment could help Ukraine launch more counteroffensive operations.
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