Ukraine's underground storage facilities are currently using 19.4% of their capacity. Almost 32%, or 2.79 bcm, less gas is available in the storages than in the previous year, according to the estimates.
The majority of Ukrainians, 71%, do not support holding elections before a full peace deal, even in the case of a ceasefire and security guarantees, according to a poll published by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) on May 14.
"He'd like me to be there, and that's a possibility. ... I don't know that he would be there if I'm not there. We're going to find out," U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One while traveling to Qatar, Reuters reported.
Trump has long demanded that NATO allies increase their military spending, previously calling for the alliance to raise its benchmark from 2% to 5% of GDP.
More than 1,000 Russian government entities and 1,200 private companies are involved in the economy of occupied Mariupol, a major southeastern city occupied by Russia after it invaded Ukraine in 2022, according to a research paper published on May 14.
The measures target almost 200 ships of Russia's "shadow fleet," 30 companies involved in sanctions evasion, 75 sanctions on entities and individuals linked to the Russian military-industrial complex, and more.
The government has approved "reform roadmaps in the rule of law, public administration, and democratic institutions, as well as Ukraine’s negotiation position," Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said.
The statement did not name the ex-official by name, but details of the case indicate it relates to Oleh Hladkovsky, a former deputy secretary of Ukraine's top security body who has been wanted since mid-April.
Brazilian President Lula da Silva claimed that Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha had appealed to his Brazilian counterpart, Mauro Vieira, to ask Putin if he was willing to conclude a peace agreement.
"Trump needs to believe that Putin actually lies," Zelensky told journalists in Kyiv. "And we should do our part. Sensibly approach this issue, to show that it’s not us that is slowing down the process."
Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen (L), Finnish Defense Minister Antii Hakkanen (C) and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (R) during the signing of the U.S.-Finland defense cooperation agreement on Dec. 18, 2023. (Finnish Embassy in the U.S./X)
The U.S. signed on Dec. 18 a new bilateral defense cooperation agreement with Finland, thenewest NATO member that sought membership following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Last week, Helsinki announced the deal, whichstrengthens mutual defense ties and gives the U.S. access to 15 Finnish military facilities, including four air bases and one naval base.
"Today, we will further strengthen our security bonds by signing a Defense Cooperation Agreement," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during the signing ceremony.
"When it goes into effect, our militaries will be able to collaborate more efficiently and more effectively. Our troops will have more opportunities to train together, and we will bolster NATO's interoperability."
Finnish Defense Minister Antii Hakkanen called the signing a "historic day," adding that the deal's implementation will be carried out by the two countries' defense ministries.
Several of the bases the U.S. military will have access to include facilities in northern Finland, including Ivalo, Rovajarvi, Rovaniemi, and Tervola.
The deal with Helsinki is part of Washington's broader effort to strengthen cooperation in northern Europe.
A defense agreement with NATO member Norway was updated last year, and the U.S. plans to sign a new agreement with Denmark later this week.
Washington also signed a new deal with Sweden, which is currently seeking alliance membership, earlier in December.
Sweden's accession to NATO is being stalled by Hungary and Turkey, two alliance members that have not yet ratified the Nordic country's accession.
Blinken lauded Finland's contributions to NATO, as well as its support to Ukraine, which has amounted to over $2 billion since the start of the full-scale invasion.
"Finland knows almost better than anyone what is at stake for Ukraine. In 1939, the Finns also faced a Russian invasion and proved that a free nation can put up an incredibly powerful and resilient resistance," Blinken commented.
Martin Fornusek is a news editor at the Kyiv Independent. He has previously worked as a news content editor at the media company Newsmatics and is a contributor to Euromaidan Press. He was also volunteering as an editor and translator at the Czech-language version of Ukraïner. Martin studied at Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia, holding a bachelor's degree in security studies and history and a master's degree in conflict and democracy studies.
Igor Kossov
