Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Ukraine and its allies discussed tougher sanctions against Russia's banking sector, central bank, and energy industry.
The EU plans to unveil on May 14 its next package of sanctions imposed against Russia over its aggression against Ukraine, an EU official told the Kyiv Independent on condition of anonymity.
Polish truckers plan to restrict freight traffic at the Yahodyn-Dorohusk checkpoint on the Ukrainian border, Ukraine's State Border Guard said on May 12.
"If the Russians are using this level of specialists in urban combat, they are probably facing some difficulties," Ivan Petrychak, spokesperson for the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade, said.
Previously, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk accused the Russian intelligence services of orchestrating a May 2024 arson attack on the Marywilska shopping centre in Warsaw.
"Perhaps in some areas, the intensity decreased slightly to create an image of compliance with their own announcement. But in reality, (Russia) continued attacks every day, using all available weapons — including aircraft to drop guided bombs on Ukraine," Andrii Demchenko, spokesperson for Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service, said.
Beijing supports all efforts toward achieving peace in Ukraine, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on May 12 when asked about Kyiv and Europe's proposal for a 30-day truce.
"I invited His Holiness to make an apostolic visit to Ukraine. Such a visit would bring real hope to all believers and to all our people," Zelensky said.
Presidential Office chief Andriy Yermak voiced doubt about leading negotiations with anyone from Russia except President Vladimir Putin, implying only the Russian leader can make real decisions.
This includes at least seven people injured in drone attacks overnight on May 12, a date from which Kyiv and its allies put forward a demand for a 30-day unconditional truce, a step that Moscow continues to reject.
"When European unity becomes inconvenient, disinformation goes so far as to make a simple tissue look like drugs," the Elysee Palace reacted to a fake story pushed by Russia.
The comments came after Trump urged Ukraine to agree to direct negotiations with Russia, which has invited Kyiv to peace talks in Istanbul on May 15, without first agreeing to halt military operations.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban holds his annual press conference in the Carmelita monastery, the office of the Hungarian premier, in Budapest on Dec. 21, 2023. (Attila Kisbenedek/AFP via Getty Images)
Hungary signaled that it might lift its veto of 50 billion euros ($55 billion) in EU funding for Ukraine if the aid is reviewed each year, Politico reported on Jan. 9, citing three EU diplomats.
The EU funding is crucial for Ukraine, which entered the third calendar year of the all-out war with Russia.
As Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban blocked the four-year financial support for Kyiv during a December summit, EU leaders are to reconvene on the matter on Feb. 1.
Budapest indicated it might withdraw its opposition if the European Council unanimously approves the funding on a yearly basis, Politico wrote, citing its sources.
This would theoretically allow Orban to exert concessions under the threat of renewed veto during each year's vote.
Some EU diplomats remain skeptical, as such a scheme would undermine the predictability of future support for Ukraine, Politico noted.
Budapest suggested already in 2023 to introduce funding for Kyiv on a yearly basis rather than as an overall four-year package.
Hungary made a concrete proposal during an EU budget experts' meeting on Jan. 5 and in a written document to the Belgian Council presidency, Politico said.
This plan reportedly included providing 12.5 billion euros ($13.7 billion) in grants and loans every year, which would eventually add up to a total sum of 50 billion euros ($55 billion).
The funding for Ukraine is part of a broader 100 billion euros ($110 billion) review of the EU's long-term budget known as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
EU leaders hinted they are exploring alternatives for funding Kyiv should the plan fall through again. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the bloc's executive arm is reading "operational solutions" to assist Ukraine if Hungary maintains its opposition.
Martin Fornusek is a news editor at the Kyiv Independent. He has previously worked as a news content editor at the media company Newsmatics and is a contributor to Euromaidan Press. He was also volunteering as an editor and translator at the Czech-language version of Ukraïner. Martin studied at Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia, holding a bachelor's degree in security studies and history and a master's degree in conflict and democracy studies.
Olena Goncharova
