The measures target almost 200 ships of Russia's "shadow fleet," 30 companies involved in sanctions evasion, 75 sanctions on entities and individuals linked to the Russian military-industrial complex, and more.
The EU plans to significantly increase tariffs on Ukrainian goods after the current duty-free deal lapses on June 6, the Financial Times reported on May 14, citing undisclosed diplomatic sources.
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.
Barbed wire is seen on top of the Lefortovo prison wall in Moscow on April 4, 2023. (Vlad Karkov/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
A South Korean citizen has been arrested in Russia for the first time on alleged espionage charges, Russian state-owned news agency TASS said on March 11.
South Korea has provided substantial financial aid to Ukraine since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion and has repeatedly warned of North Korean arms shipments to Russia.
The South Korean, named by TASS as Paek Won-soon, was allegedly detained in Vladivostok, a city close to the border with China and North Korea, in January.
He was then reportedly transported in February from Vladivostok to Moscow, which lies over 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles) to the west, to carry out "investigative actions."
The South Korean citizen is suspected of passing "on information constituting state secrets to foreign intelligence services," TASS said, citing a source in law enforcement agencies.
He is now being held in the Lefortovo pre-trial detention center in Moscow, and his arrest has been extended until June 15, TASS claimed.
Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich is also currently imprisoned in Lefortovo for alleged espionage, a charge both he and the U.S. government denies.
Elsa Court is the audience development manager at the Kyiv Independence. She previously worked as a news editor at the Kyiv Independent and was previously an intern at the Kyiv Post. She has a Master’s in Conflict Studies and Human Rights from Utrecht University. Elsa is originally from the UK.
Martin Fornusek
