"I am grateful for the support and the readiness at the highest level to promote diplomacy," President Volodymyr Zelensky said of the phone conservation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "We share the same view on the need for a ceasefire."
The convictions mark a significant development in Britain's efforts to counter Russian intelligence operations amid heightened tensions stemming from Moscow's war against Ukraine and repeated Kremlin threats toward Kyiv's allies.
According to the Verkhovna Rada's website, Ukraine completed the ratification of the U.S.-Ukraine minerals agreement on May 12. President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the deal.
"I myself have heard relatives talking: our village is being attacked, let's roll the car out of the garage, maybe they will shell it — at least we will get money. The car is old, we can't sell it," Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said.
The new tranche brings total recent EU defense support for Ukraine to 3.3 billion euros ($3.6 billion), marking a significant expansion of European efforts to boost Kyiv's defense industry.
"Russia is ready for negotiations without any preconditions," Putin claimed in an address marking the end of the three-day Victory Day ceasefire. He invited Ukraine to begin talks in Istanbul on May 15.
Both men face charges related to terrorism and espionage. Daniil B. was detained in Lithuania, where he is in temporary custody, while Oleksandr V. remains at large in Russia.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Ukraine and its allies discussed tougher sanctions against Russia's banking sector, central bank, and energy industry.
"We are ready for all options. But of course, we are separately waiting for a response on the ceasefire," a source close to President Volodymyr Zelensky told the Kyiv Independent.
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference in the Roosevelt Room of the White House on May 12, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Andrew Harnik / Getty Images)
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include President Volodymyr Zelensky's reaction.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed optimism that President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend peace talks in Istanbul on May 15, suggesting the meeting could yield "a good result."
"I think we may see a good result from Thursday's meeting in Turkey between Russia and Ukraine," Trump said during a press conference on May 12.
"I believe both leaders are going to be there. I even thought about flying over — I'm not sure where I'll be on Thursday, I have so many meetings."
The statement comes as Putin has rejected an immediate ceasefire and instead suggested that direct peace talks be held in Istanbul beginning May 15. Zelensky said he is ready to meet Putin in Turkey in person. The Kremlin has not formally responded to his statement.
Trump claimed that he strongly advocated for the Istanbul meeting, calling it a critical opportunity to stop the war.
"Thursday's meeting between Russia and Ukraine is very important. I strongly pushed for it to happen. I think good things can come from it," the U.S. president said.
Reacting to Trump's comment, Zelensky said he welcomed the possibility of Trump attending the meeting in Turkey, calling it "the right idea."
"I supported President Trump with the idea of direct talks with Putin. I have openly expressed my readiness to meet. I will be in Turkey. I hope that the Russians will not evade the meeting," Zelensky wrote on X.
"And of course, all of us in Ukraine would appreciate it if President Trump could be there with us at this meeting in Turkey. President (Recep Tayyip) Erdogan can indeed host highest-level meeting."
Asked by the Kyiv Independent whether Zelensky plans to make the trip even if Russia does not support the truce or if Putin declines to attend, a source close to the president said, "We are ready for all options. But of course, we are separately waiting for a response on the ceasefire."
Ukraine agreed to a U.S.-proposed 30-day unconditional ceasefire on March 11 but has been waiting for Russia's assent, which has not materialized.
In parallel, Germany issued an ultimatum to Moscow, giving Russia until the end of May 12 to accept the ceasefire or face new sanctions.
"The clock is ticking — we still have 12 hours until the end of this day," German government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said. Berlin is coordinating with European partners on potential additional penalties.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected Germany's move, calling it an "unacceptable" ultimatum.
"This kind of ultimatum language is unacceptable for Russia. It's not appropriate. You cannot talk to Russia in this language," he told Russian journalists on May 12.
The last face-to-face meeting between Putin and Zelensky took place in 2019 in Paris during a Normandy Format summit. Since then, there have been no direct in-person meetings between the two leaders.
Tim Zadorozhnyy is a news editor at The Kyiv Independent. Based in Warsaw, he is pursuing studies in International Relations, focusing on European Studies. Tim began his career at a local television channel in Odesa. After moving to Warsaw, he joined the Belarusian opposition media outlet NEXTA, starting as a news anchor and later advancing to the position of managing editor.
Anna Fratsyvir
