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.

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

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'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

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

"Our goal is to increase the pressure on the Russians in the rear even further and prevent them from carrying out active assault operations," Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said.

The Kyiv Independent’s Martin Fornusek speaks with Kaupo Rosin, director general of Estonia’s Foreign Intelligence Service, about Russia’s long-term strategy against Ukraine and Europe, the risks facing NATO’s eastern flank, and why Moscow still views the United States as its main adversary.

"Where missiles and drones fall, hopes also fall, homes and places of worship are destroyed, and innocent lives are shattered," Pope Leo XIV said.

Explosions and fires were reported overnight on May 27 across multiple regions in Russia and occupied Crimea, with smoke reportedly visible near a military airfield in the southeastern Russian city of Voronezh.

KHARKIV OBLAST — The longest a Russian soldier can hope to survive for after emerging from the underground pipeline is, according to those hunting them, one single hour. "But it's usually 10 minutes, and that's it," "Tovsty," chief sergeant of a company in Ukraine's Khartiia Brigade, says at a command post in northeastern Kharkiv Oblast. Tovsty is watching live drone footage showing a scene which has been repeating itself over and over again for months now — Russian soldiers emerging from disu

The U.S. denied a visa to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov, who was expected to attend a United Nations Security Council meeting.

The number includes 1,000 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

Norway will provide Ukraine with 425 million Norwegian kroner (approximately $40–42 million) to support its energy sector under a new agreement with the EU, the Norwegian government announced on May 26.

The new structure would allow for the rapid deployment of German and Dutch troops to Latvia and Estonia in the event of a conflict with Russia.

Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, said Ukrainian forces have identified potential military targets in Belarus amid concerns Minsk could become more involved in the war.

"The initiative is still working, but the new difficulty is that only about nine member states are contributing financially," Czech President Petr Pavel told the Financial Times.

Key developments on May 26: * Syzran oil refinery halts operation after May 21 Ukrainian drone strike, Ukraine's General Staff reports * Ukraine using 'secret' strike drones to devastate Russian logistics on crucial highway, Nemesis Brigade says * 'Russia's true attitude' — Iskander missile strike damages UN humanitarian warehouse in Dnipro * Lavrov warns Rubio of planned strikes on Kyiv's 'decision-making centers,' urges US embassy evacuation as EU vows to stay * Russian attacks kill 8, i

Russia has not reacted to the General Staff's claim as of the publication time.

The 412th Brigade Nemesis said it had tested a new "secret" attack drone, which it claimed proved effective deep behind Russian lines, destroying "dozens" of trucks and fuel tankers.

The strike on the warehouse destroyed a significant amount of food intended for people in front-line areas, enough to feed 130,000 people.

Editor's note: We asked members of the Kyiv Independent community to share the questions they have about the war. Here's what they asked and how we answered. Join our community to ask a question in the next round. Question: With a new prime minister elected in Hungary, is the blocked loan to Ukraine expected to be approved, and when could it be disbursed? Are there other EU member states that might block funding or slow Ukraine’s integration into the EU, similar to Hungary’s earlier position?

The Kyiv Independent is introducing a new format within its Opinion section: Letters to the Editor, giving our readers a direct way to contribute to the stories we cover or highlight ideas worth attention.

A Ukrainian child's bedroom was teleported to the halls of power in Brussels' EU quarter in April and May, pushing politicians and public alike to reflect on Russia's abduction of over 20,000 children, and the families ripped apart in the process. The bedroom is an exhibit called "Empty Beds," created by the non-profit Bird of Light Ukraine, and the Kyiv Independent spoke with its co-founders, Zhanna Galeyeva and Isaac Yeung, to hear their story. The exhibit itself has been a long time in the

Edouard Philippe has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine since the start of the full-scale war.

"We appreciate the European Commission's shown solidarity with the Baltic States. However, today's solidarity is not enough," said Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda

Britain imposed 18 new sanctions targeting financial networks it says help Russia evade restrictions and sustain its war, including the Ilan Shor-linked A7 network.

When the world watches a country enduring unprecedented historical trials, the expectation is usually that every effort will be consumed by basic survival — that the machinery of government will be running on fumes just to hold itself together. In Ukraine, we are challenging that expectation by, in the midst of the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II, not merely keeping our institutions afloat, but fundamentally reimagining what they are — making them more agile and more respons

Russia said it would appeal to the International Court of Justice over alleged discrimination against Russian minorities in the Baltic states. Estonia called the move a part of Moscow's disinformation campaign, according to a statement for the Kyiv Independent.

Human Rights Watch said Russia is unlawfully seizing Ukrainian-owned homes in occupied territories by declaring them "ownerless," while pressuring residents to obtain Russian citizenship and restricting travel back to occupied areas.

"The first main condition should be that Russia should be ready to actually talk. They are not. They are not ready to engage in meaningful peace talks," said Artjoms Ursulskis, deputy to Latvia's Foreign Minister Baiba Braze.

"Recently, Lukashenko said that it is time for the presidents of Ukraine and Belarus to meet," Zelensky said during his speech at the summit. "It turned out quite interesting: Lukashenko said it, but Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya came instead. Glad to see you, Sviatlana."

Lavrov warned Rubio of "systematic and consistent strikes" on Kyiv and referenced earlier recommendations by Moscow that foreign diplomatic missions evacuate personnel from the Ukrainian capital.