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.
Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi awards Ukrainian fighters of the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade “Edelweiss” in the Soledar direction on July 2, 2023 in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine. (Yuriy Mate/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
Russia is firing shells at a ratio of around 2:1; 2,5:1 to those of Ukraine, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said in an interview with CNN on Sept. 5, adding that Ukrainian forces are narrowing the gap.
In the spring, Ukraine faced an ammunition shortage largely due to delays in U.S. military assistance, which had a direct impact on the battlefield.
As of mid-April, Russia fired 10 times more shells than Ukraine, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to Syrskyi, Russia outnumbers Ukraine in terms of weapons and personnel, but Ukraine should use its "technical superiority," focusing on high-tech weapons such as unmanned aerial systems.
"In addition, of course, we use maneuvers with force, reserves, and fire. Thanks to the actions of our government, the president of Ukraine, the minister of defense, we managed to reduce the difference between the ammunition used by us and the enemy," said Syrskyi.
The Ukrainian military managed to reduce the difference between shells used by Kyiv and Moscow, compensating for this gap with drones, the general said.
Syrskyi also said that "significant changes" happened since the U.S. weapons started flowing to Ukraine after almost seven months of delays. Yet, Ukraine receives the arms "with the delay."
"This is also a negative for us. Especially when it comes to the formation of new units or when a unit is formed and there is no equipment, no weapons, how should we perceive it?" the commander-in-chief said.
"You plan to use a mechanized brigade, but in fact you use it as an infantry brigade. As a result, its combat capabilities and effectiveness are much lower."
Syrskyi's words echoed remarks by Zelensky, who urged partners to speed up the supply of weapons. The president said in July that 14 Ukrainian brigades did not have necessary weapons "that have already been approved and discussed."
Kateryna Denisova works as a News Editor at the Kyiv Independent. She previously worked as a news editor at the NV media outlet for four years, covering mainly Ukrainian and international politics. Kateryna holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv. She also was a fellow at journalism schools in the Czech Republic and Germany.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
