This week, the world watched in anticipation for Russia’s Victory Day parade after President Volodymyr Zelensky commented that he could not guarantee the safety of those attending. Meanwhile, the European Union moves one step forward to banning Russian gas from the European continent. It is also revealed this week that U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has fallen out of step with the White House.
"(Russian) President (Vladimir) Putin... doesn't want to have a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the bloodbath. Ukraine should agree to this, immediately," U.S. President Donald Trump said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will travel to to Antalya, Turkey, for a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting from May 14–16, where he is expected to address the war in Ukraine and push for stronger Allied defense commitments.
The Kremlin said the leaders held a detailed discussion about the Russian initiative and Erdogan expressed full support, reiterating Turkey’s readiness to provide a venue and assist in organizing the negotiations.
Erdogan told Macron that international cooperation is critical for initiating peace negotiations and the "sensitive implementation" of Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction processes, the Turkish Presidency reported.
The assault began around 2 a.m. on May 11, with Russian forces deploying 108 Shahed-type attack drones and decoy UAVs from multiple directions, Ukraine’s Air Force said.
"Think of the hundreds of thousands of lives that will be saved as this never ending 'bloodbath' hopefully comes to an end... I will continue to work with both sides to make sure that it happens."
Soldiers of Ukraine's 35th Separate Marine Infantry Brigade pose for a photo in the newly-liberated village of Storozheve, Donetsk Oblast. (Press center for the Tavriisk defense forces/Facebook)
Ukraine's Armed Forces have liberated the village of Storozheve three kilometers south of Velyka Novosilka in Donetsk Oblast, the Tavriisk defense forces' press center reported on June 12.
A day before, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) wrote about the settlement's liberation, citing Ukrainian and Russian sources.
Storozheve was recaptured by Ukraine's 35th Separate Marine Infantry Brigade, according to the press center.
On June 11, the Ukrainian military reported liberating the settlements of Blahodatne, Neskuchne, and Makarivka in eastern Donetsk Oblast.
Ukraine's forces have also advanced 300 to 1,500 meters in the country's south, according to Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Maliar.
The reports about Ukraine's gains came shortly after President Volodymyr Zelensky said the much-anticipated counteroffensive against Russian forces was already ongoing.
According to the ISW, Russia is downplaying recent Ukrainian advances in Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, referring to them as capturing "grey zones."
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.
Alexander Khrebet
