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.
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.
A warning sign that says "Dangerous mines" placed near destroyed houses during a demining operation in the village of Hrakove, Kharkiv Oblast, on April 18, 2023. (Sergey Bobok/AFP via Getty Images)
Slovenian Ambassador to Ukraine Mateja Prevolšek announced the country will provide Ukraine with 1.5 million euros ($1.6 million) for humanitarian demining efforts, Ukraine's Ministry of Economy announced in a statement on Dec. 4.
"The 1.5 million euros that Ukraine is incredibly grateful to receive today from the people of Slovenia will help provide the State Emergency Service and the State Special Transport Service with the necessary individual protection, equipment, and technology for demining," said Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko.
Svyrydenko joined Ambassador Prevolšek in a virtual signing ceremony mid-day Monday. The funds committed by Slovenia are set to be provided on a non-repayable basis later this year.
In October, international donors pledged to provide Ukraine with $530 million in demining assistance. Specifics of the agreement included the transfer of technical expertise and special safety equipment, as well as educational programs for civilians and capability development.
Ukraine is the most mine-affected country in the world. Almost one-third of Ukraine's territory, approximately 174 thousand square kilometers, is considered potentially dangerous.
The State Emergency Service previously reported that after the end of the war, Ukraine would need at least 10 years to demine its territory.
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.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
