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."
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal speaking at the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction on Feb. 19, 2024. (PM Denys Shmyhal/Telegram)
Japan will earmark 1.25 billion euros ($1.34 billion) to support Japanese investors in Ukraine, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on Feb. 19. The Japanese Foreign Ministry also announced 15.8 billion yen ($105 million) in aid to Ukraine in the form of grants.
The announcements came as Japan hosts the Japan-Ukraine Conference for Promotion of Economic Growth and Reconstruction in Tokyo. A Ukrainian delegation, led by Shmyhal, was in attendance.
The conference, gathering around 300 people and 80 companies, aims to foster dialogue between government officials and business sectors from both countries.
Ukrainian and Japanese business and government officials signed 56 agreements and memoranda within the framework of the reconstruction conference. Shmyhal also held high level meetings with top Japanese officials, including his Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki.
Shmyhal said that 1.25 billion euros ($1.34 billion) allocated to Japanese investors will be "part of the new program of (the) export credit agency NEXI."
The $105 million in grants from the Japanese government will go to Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction, specifically earmarked to assist with the clearing of mines and unexploded ordnance, supporting the electrical grid, addressing transportation issues, and promoting public-private partnership.
Shmyhal also said he discussed the confiscation of frozen Russian assets with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa.
"Japan has already shown leadership in financial support to Ukraine. Now, Japan should become one of the leaders of Ukrainian recovery and investment in our economy," Shmyhal said.
Japan has contributed around $8 billion to Ukraine in humanitarian and financial assistance since the start of the all-out war, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.
Martin Fornusek
