Andriy Yermak, Zelensky's chief of staff, said that the new pontiff had a phone call with Zelensky on Monday, during which the pope expressed willingness to facilitate meetings between global leaders and vowed to support efforts for "a just and lasting peace."
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.
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto welcomes President Volodymyr Zelensky prior talks at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland, on May 3, 2023. (Photo: VESA MOILANEN/Lehtikuva/AFP via Getty Images)
President Volodymyr Zelensky is in Finland for a one-day summit with leaders of the Nordic countries, the Washington Post reported on May 3.
According to the Washington Post, Zelensky is expected to discuss ongoing support for Ukraine with four ministers at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki.
Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and Iceland’s Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir are all in attendance.
“There is still an urgent need for military support to ensure that the Ukrainians stand as strong as possible in the fight against Russia,” Frederiksen said in a statement.
“We must help rebuild Ukraine and keep alive the hope for a normal everyday life and a just future on the other side of the war," Frederiksen added.
Ukraine's peace initiative as well as its relationship with the European Union and NATO are also expected to be topics of discussion, the Washington Post wrote.
The Nordic countries have all provided considerable financial and military aid since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion.
On May 2, the Danish Broadcasting Corporation reported that Denmark will send Ukraine a $250 million military aid package, its largest to date.
The package will include mine clearance machines, ammunition, field bridges, and funds for air defense, according to the report.
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Alexander Khrebet
