Friedrich Merz
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Wednesday, May 27
At site of Russia's Oreshnik strike, Putin's propaganda lies in ruins
In a dusty industrial estate in the city of Bila Tserkva, a Ukrainian grandmother searches through the smouldering ruins of her storage unit for her harvest of potatoes. Two days earlier it had been hit with what is supposed to be one of Russia's most fearsome weapons — an Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM). "It sounded like thunder, a very long, drawn-out thunder. And then there were six explosions in a row," Nadiia, a Bila Tserkva resident who declined to give her last name
The Balkan blockage on Ukraine's EU membership quest
A number of EU countries, including Austria and Greece, are holding up progress on Ukraine's membership process by insisting that countries in the Western Balkans not be overlooked and left at the back of the line. This objection comes on top of Hungary stalling the opening of Ukraine's accession talks over the rights of Ukraine's ethnic Hungarian minority, Poland flagging issues over agriculture and the trucking industry, and Ukraine's parliament slow-walking the passing of required reforms.
Are foreign embassies evacuating from Kyiv after Russian threats?
No foreign embassies in Kyiv have decided to evacuate staff following Russian threats of new attacks on the Ukrainian capital, the Kyiv Independent has learned. The development comes after the Russian Foreign Ministry issued a public warning about a new wave of long-range attacks on Kyiv, including strikes targeting what Moscow called Ukraine's "decision-making centers." Russia urged foreign citizens, including diplomats, to leave the city. At a United Nations meeting in New York on May 26, n
Exclusive: Zelensky sends Trump urgent letter warning of Ukraine's critical missile defense shortages
President Volodymyr Zelensky sent a letter to U.S. President Donald Trump warning about Ukraine's worsening shortage of air defense systems, particularly anti-ballistic missile capabilities, the Kyiv Independent has learned. The appeal comes as Russia intensifies mass aerial attacks on Ukraine and publicly threatens a new wave of long-range strikes on Kyiv, including attacks on what Moscow described as Ukraine's "decision-making centers." "When it comes to air defense against missiles, we rely
Ukraine fails to pass IMF-backed reforms, despite millions of dollars on the line
Ukraine's access to billions in much-needed cash is once again hanging in the balance as lawmakers stumble on reforms. Having already missed deadlines on a long list of legislation required by the European Union, World Bank, and International Monetary Fund, Ukraine's parliament made limited progress during a plenary session on May 26 and 27 — failing to pass a new IMF tax and withdrawing other bills at the last minute for fear of a lack of votes, said lawmakers who spoke with the Kyiv Independe
Let's stop pretending drones and IT will rebuild Ukraine's economy
In the battle of ideas for the economic future of Ukraine, talk of a fledgling military industry and the focus on the prowess of a handful of IT contractors is a diversion. Both storylines are presented largely in the absence of international competition and economic realities. And here is why. Investing in defense businesses, as I've done for years, is notoriously "lumpy" because it relies on national governments making payments that are not always timely. Those few, vital clients are also pa
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The legislation enables the Russian president to order troop deployments abroad to "protect" Russian citizens facing arrest, detention, trial, or other perceived persecution by foreign nations and international courts.
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Exclusive: Zelensky sends Trump urgent letter warning of Ukraine's critical missile defense shortages
Our readers' questions about the war, answered. Vol. 11
Russia's latest assault on Kyiv turns Ukraine's cultural heritage into another front line
