This week, the world watched in anticipation for Russia’s Victory Day parade after President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that he could not guarantee the safety of those attending. Meanwhile, the European Union moves one step forward to banning Russian gas from the European continent. It is also revealed this week that U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has fallen out of step with the White House.
"(Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin... doesn't want to have a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the bloodbath. Ukraine should agree to this, immediately," U.S. President Donald Trump said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to to Antalya, Turkey, for a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting from May 14–16, where he is expected to address the war in Ukraine and push for stronger Allied defense commitments.
The Kremlin said the leaders held a detailed discussion about the Russian initiative and Erdogan expressed full support, reiterating Turkey’s readiness to provide a venue and assist in organizing the negotiations.
Erdogan told Macron that international cooperation is critical for initiating peace negotiations and the "sensitive implementation" of Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction processes, the Turkish Presidency reported.
The assault began around 2 a.m. on May 11, with Russian forces deploying 108 Shahed-type attack drones and decoy UAVs from multiple directions, Ukraine’s Air Force said.
"Think of the hundreds of thousands of lives that will be saved as this never ending 'bloodbath' hopefully comes to an end... I will continue to work with both sides to make sure that it happens."
Law enforcement agents charge a former department head of Ukrenergo, Ukraine's state-owned energy operator, under suspicion that the ex-employee embezzled funds designated for bulletproof vests on June 26, 2024. (SBU/web)
Law enforcement agents have charged a former department head of Ukrenergo, Ukraine's state-owned energy operator, under suspicion that the ex-employee embezzled funds designated for the purchase of bulletproof vests, Ukraine's State Security Service (SBU) announced on June 26.
Investigators from the SBU and National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) allege that the unnamed former official organized the procurement of bulletproof vests at an "artificially inflated price" in the spring of 2022 following the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. The vests were intended to be used by employees of Ukrenergo.
The investigators allege that the Ukrenergo official purchased the equipment using state funds from affiliated contractors at double the market cost - despite the companies not having the necessary permits or licenses for manufacturing military equipment.
According to the SBU, the losses incurred exceed 10 million hryvnias (about $246,000).
The accused was charged under Ukraine's Criminal Code under article 364 for "abuse of power or official position."
The SBU's investigation is ongoing and if convicted the suspect faces up to 6 years in prison.
The investigation is being coordinated by the SBU and NABU in conjuction with the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, and are based on materials provided by the State Audit Service.
Dmytro Basmat is a senior news editor for The Kyiv Independent. He previously worked in Canadian politics as a communications lead and spokesperson for a national political party, and as a communications assistant for a Canadian Member of Parliament. Basmat has a Master's degree in Political Management from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, and a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Governance from Toronto Metropolitan University.
Chris York
