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."
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gestures as she speaks at a press conference at the European Delegation on April 6, 2023 in Beijing, China. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)
The EU will continue helping Ukraine to export its agricultural products through the "solidarity lanes" as Russia terminated the Black Sea Grain Initiative on July 17, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said on July 18.
"I am deeply concerned about Russia's move to terminate the Black Sea Grain Initiative, despite the efforts of the United Nations and Türkiye," von der Leyen said at a press conference following the summit between the EU and Caribbean and Latin American countries.
"The risk is that it brings food insecurity to so many vulnerable countries across the globe. The European Union will, by all means, continue to work to ensure that food security for vulnerable people is given."
The EU Commission presented the solidarity lanes in May 2022 to facilitate Ukraine's agricultural exports, even before Turkey and the U.N. brokered the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July of that year.
According to von der Leyen, more than 45 million tonnes of grain, oilseed, and other products have been exported via the solidarity lanes and another 35 tonnes have been shipped thanks to the grain deal.
"It is important that the blocking of the Black Sea is stopped and that the exports via the Black Sea can keep on going," the EU Commission president said.
Russia decided not to prolong its participation in the grain deal after its expiration date on July 17, effectively terminating the agreement. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin claimed that Moscow's demands regarding logistics, insurance, and international payments have not been met.
The move attracted international criticism and sparked fears of rising food prices worldwide. The EU's chief diplomat Josep Borrell and U.S. State Secretary Anthony Blinken denounced Russia's step as blackmail and vowed to assist Ukraine with its exports.
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.
Kate Tsurkan
