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.
Emergency workers at the site of the missile attack at the SKF factory in Lutsk, Volyn Oblast, on Aug. 15, 2023. (Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine / DSNS)
The Swedish ball bearing maker SKF has confirmed that its factory in Lutsk was damaged in the missile strike on Aug. 15 and that the three people killed were its workers.
According to Reuters, SKF's spokesperson Carl Bjernstam said the company was assessing the damage to the factory but that the primary focus was on the safety of its employees.
The company, which is a major global manufacturer of bearings and seals, employs 1,100 people in Ukraine. The majority of its Ukrainian workforce is employed by the Lutsk factory, Reuters added, citing SKF's latest earnings report.
Lutsk and Lviv oblasts were two western regions hit in a mass missile attack in the early morning of Aug. 15. Lutsk is located approximately 85 kilometers east of the border with Poland.
An industrial enterprise in Ukraine’s eastern city of Dnipro was also hit in the attack, causing a fire covering over 800 square meters, the regional governor Serhii Lysak reported on Aug. 15.
As of 3 p.m. local time, the attack killed three people and wounded 27, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said on Aug. 15.
Civilian facilities in eight Ukrainian regions were damaged, including residential buildings, educational institutions, and a hospital, said Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
Elsa Court
