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.
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.
Dayana Yastremska during her fourth round match at the Australian Open grand slam tennis tournament at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia on Jan. 22, 2024 (Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Ukrainian tennis player Dayana Yastremska lost in straight sets to China's Zheng Qinwen in the semi-final of the Australian Open in Melbourne, Suspilne Sport reported on Jan. 25.
Yastremska, 23, reached the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in her career. With her earlier quarter-final win against Czech player Linda Noskova, Yastremska became the first Ukrainian to get to the semi-finals of the Australian Open.
In total, Yastremska's match, which ended with the score of 6-4 6-4, lasted a total of 1 hour and 37 minutes.
After the exit from the tournament, her ranking in the Australian Open rose significantly, moving from 93rd to 29th.
Yastremska's defeat means that China's Zheng Qinwen will play against the "neutral" player from Belarus, Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
Nate Ostiller
