The blockade ended at 10:30 p.m. local time. Truck traffic in both directions is now moving as usual, according to Ukraine's State Border Guard's statement.
Russia seems to be preparing a significant offensive in Ukraine as it is moving troops toward key positions on the front, the Financial Times reported on May 13, citing undisclosed Ukrainian intelligence officials.
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.
Andriy Yermak, Zelensky's chief of staff, said that the new pontiff had a phone call with Zelensky on Monday, during which the pope expressed willingness to facilitate meetings between global leaders and vowed to support efforts for "a just and lasting peace."
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.
The sunset sky is pictured over Rod Laver Arena during the women's singles match between Poland's Iga Swiatek (L) and Czech Republic's Linda Noskova (R) on day seven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 20, 2024. (Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images)
Three Ukrainian female tennis players, Elina Svitolina, Marta Kostyuk, and Dayana Yastremska, have reached the fourth round of the Australian Open, one of the Grand Slam tournaments, for the first time ever, Suspilne Sport reported on Jan. 20.
The Grand Slam tournaments, which include the Australian Open, Roland Garros (unofficially known as the French Open), Wimbledon, and US Open, are the most prestigious individual tennis competitions.
Seven female tennis players from Ukraine started in the main draw of the Australian Open 2024. Four of them — Svitolina, Lesia Tsurenko, Kostyuk, and Yastremska — advanced to the third round of the tournament, breaking the national record at this stage, according to Suspilne Sport.
In her third-round match, Tsurenko lost to Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, reigning champion and second seed.
Previously, only two female Ukrainian tennis players — Alona Bondarenko and Svitolina — reached the fourth round of the Australia Open, but they didn't do it simultaneously, Suspilne Sport wrote. Svitolina is Ukraine's top-ranked tennis player.
Now, Ukraine has the world's largest representation in the fourth round of the Australia Open-2024 women's grid, according to Suspilne Sport. The Czech Republic and the U.S. rank second.
Dinara Khalilova is a reporter at the Kyiv Independent, where she has previously worked as a news editor. In the early weeks of Russia’s full-scale invasion, she worked as a fixer and local producer for Sky News’ team in Ukraine. Dinara holds a BA in journalism from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and a Master’s degree in media and communication from the U.K.’s Bournemouth University.
Nate Ostiller
