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.
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.
The aftermath of Russia's attack on Chasiv Yar, Donetsk Oblast, on Dec. 5, 2023. (Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office/Telegram)
Russian forces struck the front-line town of Chasiv Yar in Donetsk Oblast, killing one resident and wounding another five when they were receiving humanitarian help, the regional prosecutor’s office reported on Dec. 5.
Russia’s military used Grad multiple-launch rocket systems to carry out the attack, which lasted for two hours, according to the prosecutors.
A 50-year-old local woman was killed on the scene while five more people — four women and a man aged between 38 and 84 — suffered shrapnel injuries, the prosecutor’s office wrote.
“The oldest victim is in serious condition, and doctors are fighting for her life.”
At the time of the attack, locals reportedly gathered to receive water and bread from volunteers.
Private households and a car were also damaged in the strike, the Donetsk Oblast prosecutors added.
Located near Russian-occupied Bakhmut, Chasiv Yar was once home to over 13,000 people.
Local officials have long urged any civilians left in Chasiv Yar to leave as active fighting is raging just several kilometers from the town.
Dinara Khalilova is a reporter at the Kyiv Independent, where she has previously worked as a news editor. In the early weeks of Russia’s full-scale invasion, she worked as a fixer and local producer for Sky News’ team in Ukraine. Dinara holds a BA in journalism from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and a Master’s degree in media and communication from the U.K.’s Bournemouth University.
