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.
The SBU detained suspects of an extortion scheme in Odesa Oblast, where military officials demanded bribes from contractors. Aug. 1, 2023. (Source: SBU/Telegram)
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported on Aug. 1 that it had caught a corrupt official, who demanded bribes from contractors for the repair of military barracks in Odesa Oblast.
The military official's subordinate, who conducted "negotiations" with businesses and dealt with transferring the money, was caught by the SBU while receiving a bribe.
The repair company paid the money to win a contract to install lighting in military buildings in Odesa Oblast.
According to the SBU, military officials in the region "regularly demanded 'kickbacks' from contractors who fulfilled state orders for repair work" at military facilities.
The SBU believes that the bribes amounted to more than Hr 400,000 ($10,800), which was 20% of the total value of the contract to repair the buildings.
The SBU stated that an investigation with the police is ongoing to bring those involved to justice. If convicted, they could face up to 10 years in prison.
Martin Fornusek
