The EU plans to significantly increase tariffs on Ukrainian goods after the current duty-free deal lapses on June 6, the Financial Times reported on May 14, citing undisclosed diplomatic sources.
The blockade ended at 10:30 p.m. local time. Truck traffic in both directions is now moving as usual, according to Ukraine's State Border Guard's statement.
Russia seems to be preparing a significant offensive in Ukraine as it is moving troops toward key positions on the front, the Financial Times reported on May 13, citing undisclosed Ukrainian intelligence officials.
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.
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.
Security personnel apprehending a suspected gunman after Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot in Handlova, Slovakia, on May 15, 2024. (AFP via Getty Images)
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and critically injured in a shooting in the town of Handlova in Slovakia on May 15, lawmakers confirmed to the Slovak news agency Tasr.
Tasr said that the parliament's session was suspended as a result.
Shortly after, the Dennik N media outlet reported that Fico was shot in the stomach and also had injuries to his arms and legs and is in a life-threatening condition.
Fico's Facebook page was updated with the news that the prime minister is being transported by helicopter to Banska Bystrica due to the seriousness of his injuries, and that the "next few hours will (be decisive)."
A 71-year-old man is reportedly suspected of carrying out what Slovak government officials have called an assassination attempt and has been detained. Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok said the attack was "politically motivated."
President-elect Peter Pellegrini, an ally of Fico's, said the shooting was a threat to Slovakia's democracy.
"I am appalled at where hatred for a different political opinion can lead," Pellegrini said.
International leaders immediately reacted to the news and offered their support to Fico and Slovakia.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Fico's shooting was "appalling," and added that "we strongly condemn this act of violence against our neighboring partner state's head of government."
Many also linked hostile political rhetoric to the attack.
Czech President Petr Pavel said the attack on Fico "is unequivocally reprehensible, whatever the motivation."
"It should be a warning to us about how far the deepening of animosity and aggression in society can lead."
Estok urged the public to "stop attacks and hatred on social networks and media," and warned that the attack was a sign that "we are on the verge of civil war."
Elected in September 2023 on a populist, Ukraine-skeptic platform, Fico halted arms supplies from Slovakia's military stocks and has repeatedly criticized both defense assistance for Ukraine and sanctions against Russia.
Kateryna Denisova
