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."
President Volodymyr Zelensky attends the "Ukraine. Year 2024" forum on Feb. 25, 2024, in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Oleksandr Gusev/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)
Ukraine hopes to continue working with Washington regardless of the outcome of the U.S. presidential election this coming November, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with Fox News on April 25.
The U.S. will hold a presidential election later this year, pinning incumbent President Joe Biden against the Republican candidate, Donald Trump. Trump has repeatedly said that he could end the war with Russia in 24 hours if elected president but didn't clarify how he plans to achieve that. He has also said he would not commit to providing Ukraine with defense assistance if reelected.
Responding to a question about whether Ukraine could work with Trump if he were to be elected, Zelensky said, "I hope that he will not be against Ukraine. Of course, there are different views on some things, including some important details. But if we have common views and common values, then of course we can work (with Trump )."
The election will be based on the decision of the American people, and Ukraine "will work with any president they choose."
"And, of course, we will work with the U.S. in any case because it is our strategic partner and world leader."
Zelensky has invited Trump to Ukraine, both publicly and non-publicly, numerous times to see the situation in the country with his own eyes. According to Zelensky, Trump has refused every offer.
Kateryna Hodunova
