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.
"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.
Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski speaks to the media on Jan. 30, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Poland will impose restrictions on the movements of Russian diplomats in response to Moscow's "hybrid warfare," Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski told journalists in Brussels on May 27.
In response, the Kremlin has pledged to take "retaliatory measures."
Relations between Russia and Poland have deteriorated severely since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, bringing war to Warsaw's border.
"I just announced a Polish decision in connection to Russia's participation in hybrid warfare against the European Union, including Poland: a restriction of movement for Russian diplomats in our country," Sikorski said after meeting with EU counterparts in Brussels.
According to Sikorski, Russian diplomats will only be allowed to travel within the province to which they are assigned. The restrictions will apply to all embassy and consulate personnel, with the exception of the ambassador.
"These are national decisions, but we have evidence that the Russian state is involved in authorizing sabotage in our country as well. We hope that the Russian Federation will treat this as a very serious warning," Sikorski said.
At least 12 residents of Poland have been arrested in recent months for spying or planning to commit acts of sabotage within Polish territory on behalf of Russia. The Polish government in late May arrested nine members of a Russian spy ring in connection to alleged sabotage plots.
In response to Sikorski's announcement, Russia will seek "retaliatory measures" against Poland, Russian diplomatic spokesperson Maria Zakharova said.
The Polish government is "overrun by Russophobia," Zakharova said.
Russia's Ambassador to Poland, Sergei Andreyev, said that Warsaw's decision was not officially communicated to the Russian embassy and that "no explanations have been given in this regard."
The New York Times reported on May 27 that Russia is ramping up sabotage operations across Europe in order to undermine military aid to Ukraine.
Abbey Fenbert is a senior news editor at the Kyiv Independent. She is a freelance writer, editor, and playwright with an MFA from Boston University. Abbey served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ukraine from 2008-2011.
Rachel Amran
