A notice about the airspace closure was published on the U.S. Defense Department's NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) website on May 10, as cited by Ukrainian defense news outlet Militarnyi.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected the idea of a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, claiming in an interview with ABC News on May 10 that it would be "an advantage" for Ukraine.
"Our involvement in the war was justifiable, and this belongs to our sovereign rights," North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un said. "I regard this as part of the sacred mission we must execute for our brothers and comrades-in-arms."
"We have a plan B and a plan C. But our focus is plan A, the essence of which is to get everyone's support" for Ukraine's accession, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.
"(T)he presence at the Victory Parade of a country that bombs cities, hospitals, and daycares, and which has caused the deaths and injuries of over a million people over three years, is a shame," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.
"According to the participants of the performances, their goal is to remind the civilized world of the barbaric actions of Moscow, which for many years and decades has systematically violated international law," a source in Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) told the Kyiv Independent.
"I have great hope that an agreement for a ceasefire in Ukraine will be reached this weekend," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on May 9, shortly before traveling to Kyiv alongside the leaders of France, Poland, and the U.K.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk will arrive in Kyiv early on May 10.
The United States embassy in Kyiv on May 9 issued a warning that Russia could launch "a potentially significant" attack in the coming days, despite Putin's self-declared Victory Day "truce."
The sanctioned oil tankers have transported over $24 billion in cargo since 2024, according to Downing Street. The U.K. has now sanctioned more shadow fleet vessels than any other country.
Illustrative purposes: U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy speaks during a joint press conference in Kyiv on Feb. 5, 2025. (Vitalii Nosach / Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
The foreign ministries of the United Kingdom and Italy urged Russia to accept an unconditional ceasefire in separate statements on April 19, hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a temporary truce over Easter weekend.
Putin said he ordered a halt on combat operations in Russia's war against Ukraine from 6 p.m. Moscow time on April 19 until midnight on April 21.
In response, the U.K. called on Russia to go beyond a "one-day pause" and commit to a full ceasefire in Ukraine.
"Ukraine has committed to a full ceasefire. We urge Russia to do the same," a U.K. foreign ministry spokesperson said, according to Reuters.
The Ukrainian government on March 11 said it was ready to accept a U.S. proposal for a complete 30-day ceasefire, provided Russia agrees to the same terms. Russia continues to reject the proposal unless Ukraine makes extraordinary concessions — including a halt to all foreign military aid.
"Now is the moment for Putin to show he is serious about peace by ending his horrible invasion," the U.K. foreign mnistry said in its statement.
The Italian foreign ministry also urged Russia to take more significant steps toward peace.
"It is not clear how Russia will respect a short truce, while Putin must make up his mind to finally stop this war he started," Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said.
"He must respond positively to President Trump's demands and make a real ceasefire possible. Peace must be just and lasting over time."
Putin's call for an Easter truce arrived shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration and impatience with the status of the Russia-Ukraine peace talks. Washington will "take a pass" on further mediation efforts if either side "makes it difficult" to proceed with negotiations, Trump said on April 18.
Trump has spent the past several months boasting of his ability to make a deal to swiftly end the war in Ukraine.
The statements from the U.K. and Italy echoed Ukraine's own response to Putin's announcement. President Volodymyr Zelensky on April 19 invited Russia to extend the full ceasefire beyond Easter Sunday.
"This will show Russia's true intentions, because 30 hours is enough for headlines, but not for real confidence-building measures. Thirty days can give peace a chance," he said.
Zelensky also said that reports from Ukraine's front lines indicate that Russia has already violated the Easter ceasefire.
Abbey Fenbert is a senior news editor at the Kyiv Independent. She is a freelance writer, editor, and playwright with an MFA from Boston University. Abbey served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ukraine from 2008-2011.
Abbey Fenbert
