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.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (R) and Deputy Foreign Minister of the Taliban government in Afghanistan, Amirkhan Muttak (L), attend the Moscow Format in Moscow, Russia, on Oct. 4, 2024. (Sefa Karacan / Anadolu via Getty Images)
Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has filed a petition with the Supreme Court requesting the suspension of the ban on dealings with the Taliban, pro-government media outlet Interfax reported on March 31.
The Supreme Court is set to review the request on April 17 in a closed session. The Taliban remains on Russia's federal list of terrorist organizations since 2003.
The Taliban, an Islamist militant group, seized control of Afghanistan in August 2021 following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces, toppling the Western-backed government.
Despite its control over the country, the Taliban-led administration has not been formally recognized by any state, including Russia, due to its failure to meet international commitments on human rights, governance, and counter-terrorism.
Russia's State Duma passed legislation in December 2024 allowing the possibility of removing organizations from the list of banned terrorist groups.
In May 2024, the Foreign Ministry and Justice Ministry submitted a report to Russian President Vladimir Putin advocating for the Taliban's removal from the list.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova defended the move as a pragmatic decision, while Putin signaled support for the measure, saying that Russia was moving in that direction but hoped the United Nations would take the lead.
Despite maintaining the terrorist designation, Moscow has expanded engagement with the Taliban, deepening trade ties and investing in Afghan infrastructure. The Taliban regularly participates in Russian economic and educational forums.
Putin has referred to the Taliban as "allies," while Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has called them "sane people."
The Taliban, however, continues to enforce strict Islamic law, banning women from education, restricting social interactions, and carrying out the public stoning of women to death.
Tim Zadorozhnyy is a news editor at The Kyiv Independent. Based in Warsaw, he is pursuing studies in International Relations, focusing on European Studies. Tim began his career at a local television channel in Odesa. After moving to Warsaw, he joined the Belarusian opposition media outlet NEXTA, starting as a news anchor and later advancing to the position of managing editor.
Tim Zadorozhnyy
