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.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz warned that further concessions from Ukraine during negotiations would be unreasonable if Russia continues to attack civilian targets.
U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoys, Steve Witkoff and Keith Kellogg, will travel to Istanbul for possible peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, Reuters reported on May 13, citing three undisclosed sources.
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.
Zelensky holds a phone call with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Jan. 29, 2024. (Volodymyr Zelensky / X)
Foreign funding in Ukraine's defense industry is showing a noticeable impact on the domestic production of weaponry and equipment, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his evening address on July 25.
Zelensky said he spoke with Strategic Industries Minister Oleksandr Kamyshin about plans for "armored vehicles, drones, and artillery."
"It is evident that the (defense) sector is becoming entirely different—stronger and more efficient," not just due to funding from the state budget, but also "partner investments in defense production in Ukraine," Zelensky said.
In April, Denmark became the first country to buy weapons and equipment for Ukraine's Armed Forces from a domestic manufacturer as part of a military aid package.
The Danish Defense Ministry announced a 2.2 billion kroner ($313 million) military aid package for Ukraine that included 200 million Danish kroner ($28.5 million) earmarked for purchases from Ukraine's defense industry.
The same month, the U.K. and Ukraine signed an agreement to encourage defense industry cooperation and support joint projects between British and Ukrainian companies, while BAE Systems also signed an agreement with the U.K. government for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul services in Ukraine of the L119 light gun, a 105 mm howitzer.
The U.K. and Ukraine signed another agreement on July 25, which provides credit support for the development of Ukraine's defense industry, specifically supporting the partial production of air defense systems, armored vehicles, and ammunition in Ukraine.
According to Zelensky, Kyiv is also "preparing steps to increase the quantity and quality of our long-range drones," and has decided on upcoming tasks for missile specialists and Ukroboronprom, Ukraine's state defense conglomerate.
Alexander Khrebet
