Moscow and Washington discuss the potential resumption of Russian gas supplies to Europe, among other issues related to the peaceful settlement of Russia's war in Ukraine, Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov confirmed to the Russian state-run Interfax news agency.
"This is a historic decision, as weapons for Ukraine will be purchased at the expense of the proceeds from frozen Russian assets through the European Peace Fund," Denys Shmyhal said.
Peter Szijjarto's announcement came after Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) allegedly dismantled a Hungarian military intelligence network operating in Zakarpattia Oblast.
The approval marks a key step in international efforts to hold Moscow accountable for what is considered the gravest violation of international law committed against Ukraine.
Although Moscow declared on April 28 that it would halt all military actions from May 8 to midnight on May 11 to mark Victory Day, strikes on civilian areas have continued.
Under Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin's rule, millions of Ukrainians died during the Holodomor, a man-made famine in 1932–1933. The dictator also oversaw mass deportations, purges of Ukrainian intellectuals and leaders, and the suppression of the Ukrainian language and culture.
According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), this marks the first time Ukrainian authorities have exposed a Hungarian military intelligence network conducting activities harmful to Ukraine.
Delegations from 35 countries and the Council of Europe gathered in Lviv as EU officials prepare to approve both new defense aid and steps toward establishing a tribunal for Russian leadership.
The ruling marks a significant victory for RFE/RL amid growing concerns about U.S. funding cuts to independent media countering Russian disinformation.
U.S. Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected the new pope and leader of the Roman Catholic Church on Thursday, taking the name Pope Leo XIV, a senior cardinal announced on May 8 to crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square, according to Vatican News.
George Simion, leader of Romania's far-right AUR party, who won the first round of the presidential election with nearly 40% of the vote, reiterated that if elected, he would oppose any further assistance to Ukraine and shift Romania’s focus inward.
Ukrainian law enforcement officers uncovered the two officials from western Khmelnytskyi Oblast for corruption, finding nearly $6 million in cash. (State Bureau of Investigation)
According to the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) two Ukrainian officials from western Khmelnytskyi Oblast alleged of corruption were holding at home nearly $6 million in cash.
The homes and workplaces of the head of the Khmelnytskyi Regional Center for Medical and Social Expertise and her son, a senior official in the main department of Ukraine's Pension Fund in the region, were searched in another case when the cash was exposed.
The case concerned the forging of official documents to illegaly register a disability for men attempting to evade military service. At first, the law enforcement found $100,000 and forged medical documents with the names of men with non-existent diagnoses, according to the SBI.
"Law enforcement officers found money in the apartment in almost every corner — in wardrobes, drawers, niches," the statement read.
Ukrainian law enforcement officers uncovered the two officials from western Khmelnytskyi Oblast for corruption, finding nearly $6 million in cash. (State Bureau of Investigation)
Ukrainian law enforcement officers uncovered the two officials from western Khmelnytskyi Oblast for corruption, finding nearly $6 million in cash. (State Bureau of Investigation)
Almost $5.2 million, 300,000 euros ($330,000), more than Hr 5 million, as well as branded jewelry and valuables were found at the officials' homes, according to the statement.
Also, the documents with evidence of money laundering through various business projects were seized.
The two also reportedly own 30 properties in the western cities of Khmelnytskyi and Lviv, as well as in Kyiv, nine cars, a hotel and restaurant complex, and real estate in Austria, Spain, and Turkey. They have almost $2.3 million held in foreign bank accounts, the SBI said.
None of this has been mentioned in their asset declarations.
If the two officials are charged, they can face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of all of their property.
Kateryna Denisova works as a News Editor at the Kyiv Independent. She previously worked as a news editor at the NV media outlet for four years, covering mainly Ukrainian and international politics. Kateryna holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Taras Shevchenko University of Kyiv. She also was a fellow at journalism schools in the Czech Republic and Germany.
Igor Kossov
