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.
Protestors demonstrating against the controversial foreign agents law outside the Georgian parliament in Tbilisi on April 16, 2024. (Vano Shlamov/AFP via Getty Images)
U.S., EU, and U.N. officials denounced on May 2 Tbilisi's efforts to pass a controversial foreign agents bill amid the ongoing protests in Georgia.
The legislation, scheduled for its third and final reading on May 17, would require organizations that receive foreign funding to be labeled as "foreign agents." It mirrors repressive Russian laws used to crack down on Kremlin regime critics and is popularly referred to in Georgia as the "Russian law."
The planned legislation has led to growing tensions between Tbilisi and Western countries, prompting fears of democratic backsliding and the pro-Kremlin direction of the Georgian government.
"We are deeply concerned about this legislation - what it could do in terms of stifling dissent and free speech," U.S. national security spokesperson John Kirby said during a press briefing.
The attempts to pass the law have sparked mass demonstrations in the country, with the police reportedly stepping against the protesters with tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons.
U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Robin Dunnigan said that Tbilisi's steps have "moved the country away from its Euro-Atlantic future."
Dunnigan previously said that Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze was invited to visit the U.S. to discuss the two countries' partnership but the latter has rejected the offer.
"There are concerning developments in terms of legislation. The law ... as it stands is unacceptable and will create serious obstacles for the EU accession path," said Gert Jan Koopman, the director general of the European Commission's enlargement directorate, at a Tbilisi press conference.
Several other Western countries, including the U.K., Italy, and Germany, have criticized the bill.
U.N. rights chief Volker Turk also joined the calls for Georgia to halt the legislation.
"I urge Georgian authorities to withdraw this draft law, and to engage in dialogue, including with civil society and media organizations," Turk said.
"Labeling NGOs and media outlets receiving foreign funding as 'organizations acting in the interest of a foreign power' poses serious threats to the rights to freedom of expression and association."
Nate Ostiller
