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."
The EU plans to significantly increase tariffs on Ukrainian goods after the current duty-free deal lapses on June 6, the Financial Times reported on May 14, citing undisclosed diplomatic sources.
The blockade ended at 10:30 p.m. local time. Truck traffic in both directions is now moving as usual, according to Ukraine's State Border Guard's statement.
Russia seems to be preparing a significant offensive in Ukraine as it is moving troops toward key positions on the front, the Financial Times reported on May 13, citing undisclosed Ukrainian intelligence officials.
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.
President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a press conference during the "Ukraine Year 2024" forum in Kyiv on Feb. 25, 2024, marking the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Sergei Supinsky / AFP)
Former U.S. President Donald Trump will go against the will of U.S. citizens if he supports Russia in its all-out war against Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with CNN published on Feb. 26.
As the Republican Party's most likely nominee for the upcoming 2024 presidential election, Trump's sway over the party has contributed to the continuing deadlock in Congress over U.S. aid to Ukraine. The Senate passed a funding bill containing $60 billion in aid for Ukraine earlier in February, but House Speaker Mike Johnson has so far declined to bring it to a vote.
Despite the impasse, Zelensky said he had spoken with Speaker Johnson recently and felt optimistic that funding would ultimately be passed.
"(Johnson) said that he will do everything to support Ukraine, and he's on our side, and he understands how heroic our people, our soldiers and civilians (are)," he said.
At the same time, top Democratic lawmakers have argued that Johnson's inaction on Ukraine is ultimately due to Trump's influence.
Trump has long criticized U.S. aid to Ukraine, a position in line with his "America First" foreign policy views. He has claimed that he would be able to negotiate peace in Ukraine within 24 hours, although he did not elaborate on concrete steps to achieve this.
Trump also raised concerns among NATO allies when he said he would encourage Russia to do "whatever the hell it wants" to members who do not meet the 2% defense spending mark.
Zelensky said that Trump does not really understand Russian President Vladimir Putin because the U.S. has never directly fought Russia.
"I don't think he understands that Putin will never stop," Zelensky said.
Zelensky also addressed the impasse on U.S. aid, saying that Ukraine will not only be unable to undertake any new counteroffensives but will likely struggle to defend its current positions.
His comments echoed those of other Ukrainian and U.S. officials, who have said that the lack of military assistance from the U.S. has directly contributed to the deteriorating Ukrainian position on the battlefield, illustrated by the retreat from Avdiivka earlier in February.
Zelensky responded to a claim from U.S. Senator J.D. Vance, an outspoken opponent of U.S. aid to Ukraine, who said that the outcome of the war would not change even if Congress finally passed further aid.
Vance "does not understand what is going on here...to understand it is to come to the frontline to see what’s going on… without this support. And he will understand that millions of people will be killed," Zelensky said.
"God bless (that) you don’t have the war on your territory."
John Roberts
