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 a Russian attack in Zaporizhzhia on Sept. 23, 2024. (Zaporizhzhia Oblast Police / Telegram)
Editor's Note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
Russia attacked the city of Zaporizhzhia the night of Sept. 23, killing one man and injuring seven other civilians, including a 13-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy, city authorities reported.
The strike targeted a critical infrastructure facility and a residential neighborhood, Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Ivan Fedorov reported via his official Telegram channel.
The attack in the residential area killed one man and injured five others, among them a 13-year-old girl, City Council Secretary Regina Kharchenko said. Some of the victims were hospitalized.
At least two houses were also destroyed, Fedorov said.
The attack on the critical infrastructure facility caused a fire, but no casualties, Fedorov said. The fire has since been extinguished.
Emergency workers are on site and the full extent of the damage is currently being investigated.
Attacks against Zaporizhzhia the previous night injured 22 people, including two children. Monitoring groups reportedthat the night's attacks marked the first time a guided aerial bomb was used to target Zaporizhzhia.
Fedorov warned residents on Sept. 23 at about 9:51 p.m. local time that there was threat of guided aerial bombs over the city.
The city of Zaporizhzhia is located less than 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the front lines.
Russia has continued to strike civilian targets across Zaporizhzhia Oblast, which is partially occupied by Russian forces.
Abbey Fenbert is a senior news editor at the Kyiv Independent. She is a freelance writer, editor, and playwright with an MFA from Boston University. Abbey served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ukraine from 2008-2011.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
