Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in a phone call that Turkey is ready to host peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, the Turkish Presidency said on May 11.

His comments come as Russia pushes for the resumption of peace talks in Istanbul. Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said earlier on May 11 that Moscow is ready to restart negotiations in Turkey, referencing the failed 2022 Istanbul talks and the current situation “on the ground.”

Turkey, which hosted rounds of talks between Russia and Ukraine in 2022, has positioned itself as a mediator in the war while maintaining ties with both Moscow and Kyiv.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has invited Ukrainian officials to meet in Istanbul on May 15, following the expiration of a temporary Victory Day ceasefire that Moscow did not extend.

Ukraine has expressed openness to talks but insists that negotiations must begin with a “full, durable, and reliable” ceasefire, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 11. President Macron supported the idea.

“We made a clear proposal: an unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting on Monday. President Zelensky committed without setting any condition. We now expect an equally clear response from Russia. There can be no negotiations while weapons are speaking,” Macron wrote on X.

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.

“President Erdogan stated that a historic turning point has been reached towards the end of the war between Ukraine and Russia, that it is necessary to take advantage of this opportunity,” the statement read.

The original Istanbul negotiations in March 2022 included harsh terms from Moscow, including demands that Ukraine drastically reduce its military size, surrender long-range strike capabilities, and recognize Russian control over occupied regions. Leaked documents suggest the proposed terms were essentially Ukrainian capitulation.

In recent weeks, Moscow has reiterated maximalist demands, including Ukraine’s formal recognition of the annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, a permanent ban on NATO membership, demilitarization, and changes favoring the Russian language and religious organizations.

Despite saying it is ready to talk, the Kremlin continues offensive operations across Ukraine and has rejected Western-backed proposals for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire.

CNN: Russia to ‘think about’ ceasefire, ‘resistant’ to pressure, Peskov says

Speaking to CNN on May 10, Peskov commented on the latest ceasefire proposal from Ukraine and Europe, responding that Russia needs to “think about” it, but is “resistant” to pressure.

The Kyiv IndependentLucy Pakhnyuk

Pope Leo XIV, in his first Sunday address since being elected pontiff, appealed to world powers for “no more war,” calling for an “authentic and lasting peace” in Ukraine and a ceasefire in Gaza, Reuters reported on May 11.

The new pope said he carries in his heart the “suffering of the beloved people of Ukraine.”

Pope Leo was appointed earlier this week on May 8, following the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at the age of 88. On May 7, cardinals officially opened the historic conclave in the Vatican to choose the next head of the Catholic Church.

Speaking to thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square on May 11, the pope demanded the release of all hostages held by Hamas and welcomed the recent ceasefire between India and Pakistan.

Pope said he was praying to God to grant the world the “miracle of peace."

Previously, while serving as Bishop of Chiclayo in Peru, Leo XIV spoke out against Russia’s continued war against Ukraine. In a 2022 interview with Peruvian news outlet Semanario Expresión, he condemned Russia’s war against Ukraine, characterizing it as “a true invasion, imperialist in nature, where Russia seeks to conquer territory for reasons of power."

What will the new pope mean for Ukraine?

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include comments from a 2022 interview, given while Robert Prevost was Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru. With the announcement that Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has been chosen as the new pope and leader of the Catholic Church, Ukrainians are wondering what the surprise appointment of the American-born pontiff will mean for their country. Past comments made by the new pope, who has taken the name Pope Leo XIV, quickly surfaced to form an idea of his vie

The Kyiv IndependentAndrea Januta,

Russia wants to restart peace talks with Ukraine in Istanbul based on the results of the 2022 negotiations and the current situation “on the ground,” Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said on May 11, Russian state-controlled media reported.

Ushakov’s comments follow Russian President Vladimir Putin’s May 11 invitation for direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul starting May 15, after a temporary ceasefire for Russia’s Victory Day celebrations expired.

Despite the offer, Moscow has refused to extend the truce or accept the proposal, backed by the U.S. and Europe, for a full 30-day unconditional ceasefire.

Ukraine has said it is ready to talk but insists any negotiations must begin with a full cessation of hostilities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 11 that Ukraine is “ready to meet” if Russia confirms a “full, durable, and reliable” ceasefire.

The Istanbul talks refer to negotiations between Ukraine and Russia held in Turkey in late March 2022, which outlined potential terms for a peace deal.

In the three years since the failed talks, Russian propaganda networks have frequently pushed the idea that peace was almost achieved in Istanbul, before Western leaders, in particular then-U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson, allegedly pressured Zelensky to reject the deal and continue fighting.

In reality, leaked documents from 2022 show that Moscow’s first peace offer amounted to Ukraine’s effective surrender.

According to an investigation by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Sistema, Russia’s initial six-page draft agreement, presented on March 7, 2022, demanded Ukraine reduce its military to just 50,000 troops and surrender its ability to develop or deploy long-range missiles or other advanced weapons.

The draft also required Ukraine to recognize Russia’s control over Donetsk and Luhansk, reinvest in the war-torn regions under Russian terms, and de facto legalize Soviet and communist symbols.

“The Istanbul accords happened 30 days after the invasion, and the demands in Istanbul were fairly significant on a very weakened Ukraine,” said Keith Kellogg, U.S. presidential envoy for Ukraine, during a March 6 discussion at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Kellogg added that the circumstances of 2025 are vastly different from those of early 2022, doubting the viability of restarting talks from a framework that was never fair for all parties.

President Putin in 2024 reiterated maximalist conditions for peace, demanding that Ukrainian troops withdraw from all four partially occupied Ukrainian regions, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, and that Kyiv formally recognize their annexation by Russia.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in an April interview with O Globo, reiterated these demands.

Russia also insists that any peace deal must include a permanent ban on Ukraine’s NATO membership, demilitarization of the country, and constitutional changes reinstating the role of the Russian language, culture, and religious organizations.

Lavrov said Kyiv must lift its ban on talks with Putin, accept a halt to Western military aid, drop international legal claims against Moscow, and allow the return of frozen Russian assets.

Opinion: Were the Istanbul peace talks a missed opportunity for Ukraine?

Recent reflections on the Russo-Ukrainian peace talks in Istanbul at the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022 offer new insights and perspectives. However, they often overlook a crucial factor: Moscow’s dismal history of honoring political and security agreements with former Soviet republics. Many analyses naively assume the Kremlin would adhere to any signed deal, ignoring Russia’s well-documented pattern of broken promises. Over the past 35 years, Russia has repeatedly demonstrated a disr

The Kyiv IndependentAndreas Umland

Russia launched an overnight drone attack across Ukraine early on May 11, injuring one person in Kyiv Oblast and damaging civilian infrastructure in several regions, according to Ukrainian officials.

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.

Ukrainian air defense systems, including aviation units, missile forces, electronic warfare units, and mobile fire teams, intercepted 60 Shahed drones across the eastern, northern, southern, and central regions of the country. Another 41 decoy drones were lost from radar but did not cause damage.

In Kyiv Oblast, a 70-year-old man in Brovary District suffered an acute stress reaction during the attack and is receiving medical care, according to regional authorities. A summer house was damaged in the strike, and five private homes were hit in the Obukhiv District, which lies south of the capital, Kyiv. No critical infrastructure was affected.

In Sumy Oblast, Russian forces carried out more than 100 strikes on 31 settlements across 14 communities over the past day. The attacks included nearly 10 guided aerial bombs, 30 FPV drone assaults, approximately 30 grenade drops from drones, and over 70 multiple-launch rocket system explosions, regional officials reported. Additionally, Russian helicopters launched 10 rockets.

While there were no fatalities or injuries reported in Sumy, several civilian structures were damaged or destroyed, including non-residential buildings and private homes.

The attack comes as Russia invited Ukraine to engage in direct talks in Istanbul beginning May 15. Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected a ceasefire proposal, saying, “Russia is ready for negotiations without any preconditions.”

Putin unilaterally declared a temporary ceasefire in honor of Victory Day — which Russia observes on May 9 — from midnight May 8 until midnight on May 11. Despite the three-day truce, Russian attacks against Ukrainian civilians and combat operations on the front line continued.

President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders on May 10 demanded that Russia agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting on May 12. The proposal is backed by U.S. President Donald Trump. If Russia refuses the proposal, Europe and the U.S. are threatening to respond with increased sanctions.

Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said earlier that Russia needs to “think about” the ceasefire proposal and is “resistant to any kinds of pressure."

Putin’s proposed talks ‘a first step, but not enough,’ Macron says

“An unconditional ceasefire is not preceded by negotiations,” French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters on May 11.

The Kyiv IndependentAbbey Fenbert

Ukraine expects Russia to confirm a full and lasting ceasefire starting May 12 and declared its readiness to begin talks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement on May 11.

Zelensky called a ceasefire the essential first step toward ending the war.

“It’s a good sign that the Russians are finally thinking about ending the war,” Zelensky said. “Everyone in the world has long awaited this. And the first step in truly ending any war is a ceasefire.”

“There is no point in continuing the killing, even for one more day,” he added. “We expect Russia to confirm a full, durable, and reliable ceasefire starting tomorrow, May 12, and Ukraine is ready to meet.”

Zelensky’s remarks came shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin invited Ukraine to direct talks in Istanbul starting May 15, but rejected a broader, U.S.- and EU-backed 30-day unconditional ceasefire.

Instead, Putin accused Ukraine of violating a three-day ceasefire he had unilaterally declared for Victory Day commemorations, claiming Kyiv launched cross-border attacks into Russia’s Belgorod and Kursk regions.

The temporary “truce,” which lasted from midnight May 8 to midnight May 11, officially expired on Saturday. Ukrainian officials reported that Russian attacks on civilian areas and frontline positions continued throughout the ceasefire period.

Kyiv accepted an unconditional 30-day U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal in March, but Moscow rejected it, demanding a complete end to Western military support for Ukraine.

Russia has repeatedly proclaimed its supposed readiness for peace talks while simultaneously pushing for maximalist demands, including the incorporation of the four Ukrainian regions illegally annexed in autumn 2022 into Russia.

Kyiv has dismissed these declarations as a propaganda stunt, noting that Russian forces have only intensified their attacks on Ukrainian cities and towns.

Ukraine, European allies demand Russia agree to 30-day ceasefire starting May 12

“We agreed that a full and unconditional ceasefire must begin on Monday, May 12, for at least 30 days. We jointly demand this from Russia, and we know we are supported in this by the United States,” Zelensky said.

The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk

Russia has lost 965,890 troops in Ukraine since the beginning of its full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed Forces reported on May 11.

The number includes 1,310 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

According to the report, Russia has also lost 10,792 tanks, 22,446 armored fighting vehicles, 47,947 vehicles and fuel tanks, 27,670 artillery systems, 1,381 multiple launch rocket systems, 1,159 air defense systems, 372 airplanes, 335 helicopters, and 35,537 drones, 28 ships and boats, and one submarine.

European ministers approve special tribunal to prosecute Russia’s aggression against Ukraine

The approval marks a key step in international efforts to hold Moscow accountable for what is considered the gravest violation of international law committed against Ukraine.

The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy

U.S. President Donald Trump “will continue to work with both sides” to end Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine, Trump said in a social media post on May 11.

Trump’s comments come shortly after Ukraine and Europe put forth a proposal for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire beginning May 12. Russian President Vladimir Putin has not agreed to the plan, but has invited Kyiv to resume direct talks in Istanbul on May 15.

“A potentially great day for Russia and Ukraine!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account.

“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.”

Trump did not directly mention the ceasefire proposal or Putin’s suggested talks in Istanbul. It is not clear what he is referring to when he mentions a “great day for Russia and Ukraine.”

Trump spoke to President Volodymyr Zelensky and visiting European leaders via phone on May 10 in a conversation described as “productive.” The Trump administration has backed the Ukrainian-European ceasefire proposal and threatened to impose sanctions against Moscow if it does not comply.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on May 11 that Putin’s proposed talks were “a first step, but not enough,” adding that an unconditional ceasefire does not require negotiations in advance.

Kyiv, European allies pledge harsher sanctions on Russia’s banking, energy sectors if Moscow refuses ceasefire

Tougher sanctions “should be applied to (Russia’s) banking and energy sectors, targeting fossil fuels, oil, and the shadow fleet,” the leaders of Ukraine, the U.K., France, Germany, and Poland said in a joint statement.

The Kyiv IndependentAbbey Fenbert

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal for direct peace talks with Ukraine is “a first step, but not enough,” French President Emmanuel Macron said on May 11.

Putin earlier extended an invitation to hold direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul on May 15, saying “Russia is ready for negotiations without any preconditions.”

“An unconditional ceasefire is not preceded by negotiations,” Macron told reporters at the Polish-Ukrainian border, according to Agence France Presse (AFP).

Putin is “looking for a way out, but he still wants to buy time,” he said.

Macron’s remarks come after his May 10 visit to Kyiv alongside U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The European leaders' historic joint visit represented a strong show of solidarity with Ukraine amid intensifying Russian attacks and Russia’s ultranationalist Victory Day celebrations.

Ukraine and its key European allies issued a joint statement demanding Russia accept a full, unconditional ceasefire of 30 days beginning May 12. The proposal is backed by U.S. President Donald Trump and the European Union.

The nations pledged to enact harsh sanctions on Russia’s banking and energy sectors if Moscow does not accept the ceasefire.

Putin has not agreed to the ceasefire proposal, though he suggested a “lasting peace” could be negotiated during the Istanbul talks. Russia has consistently rejected calls for an unconditional ceasefire in the full-scale war against Ukraine.

Kyiv has not yet responded to Putin’s comments.

Most Russians ‘don’t care about the war,’ says journalist Ekaterina Barabash after escaping Russia

In early May, 64-year-old film critic and journalist Ekaterina Barabash made international headlines when it was revealed that she had pulled off a daring escape from house arrest in Russia and sought political asylum in France. Barabash was put under house arrest in February for posts that she had made criticizing Russia’s war against Ukraine. She was accused of spreading “knowingly false” information about the military on her social media. The Kremlin has intensified its crackdown on dissent

The Kyiv IndependentKate Tsurkan

Russia and Ukraine must come to a ceasefire agreement in order for the U.S. to “move forward” in negotiating an end to the full-scale war, U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said on May 10.

Bruce’s comments come as Ukraine and European allies demand Moscow accept their proposal for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire beginning May 12.

“We’ll judge Russia by actions, not words,” Bruce wrote on X.

“We’ve struck a deal with Ukraine for critical minerals and energy to fund their rebuilding. Now we need concrete proposals from both sides to end the conflict."

In comments aired on NewsNation, Bruce indicated that further U.S. participation in peace negotiations was contingent on a ceasefire agreement.

"(W)e’ve said repeatedly that in order for us to go forward regarding the conflict, there has to be a ceasefire,” she said.  

Russian President Vladimir Putin did not agree to the 30-day ceasefire put forth by Ukraine and Europe — a proposal also backed by the U.S. Instead of extending the three-day truce he declared in honor of Russia’s Victory Day celebrations, Putin on May 11 said Russia wanted to hold direct talks with Ukraine in Istanbul next week.

A comprehensive ceasefire could be negotiated during those talks, which would begin on May 15, he said.

Russia has repeatedly proclaimed its readiness for peace talks while simultaneously pushing for maximalist demands, including the complete annexation of Ukraine’s Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts and international recognition of its illegal occupation of Crimea.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on May 9 that U.S. President Donald Trump is frustrated with his administration’s inability to strike a peace deal and Russia’s obstinate stance in negotiations.

According to a joint statement released by Ukraine, the U.K., France, Germany, and Poland on May 10, the U.S. will join their coalition in imposing additional sanctions against Russia if the Kremlin rejects the latest ceasefire proposal.

Putin rejects ceasefire, calls on Ukraine to begin direct talks in Istanbul next week as Victory Day ‘truce’ ends

“Russia is ready for negotiations without any preconditions,” Putin claimed in an address marking the end of the three-day Victory Day ceasefire. He invited Ukraine to begin talks in Istanbul on May 15.

The Kyiv IndependentAbbey Fenbert

U.S. President Donald Trump’s Special Envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, relied on translators from the Kremlin in his meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, NBC News reported on May 10, citing a U.S. official and two Western officials with knowledge of the talks.

Witkoff, who has emerged as Trump’s de facto personal envoy to Russian President Vladimir Putin, has met with the Russian president several times in recent months. His most recent visit took place in Moscow on April 26, the day after a mass missile attack killed 12 people in Kyiv.

Witkoff — a real estate tycoon who does not speak Russian — did not employ his own interpreter during these meetings, officials told NBC News. The decision represented a breach of typical protocols and rendered him dependent on Kremlin-provided translators.

“If they speak to each other in Russian, he doesn’t know what they are saying,” one Western official said.

Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia, called Witkoff’s refusal to use his own interpreter “a very bad idea."

“I speak Russian and have listened to Kremlin interpreters and U.S. interpreters at the same meeting, and the language is never the same,” McFaul told NBC News via email.

Witkoff’s conduct in high-profile negotiations has been previously called into question. The New York Post reported on April 30 that his approach caused concern among White House officials, with sources citing his use of Kremlin translators as one problematic choice.  

One source described Witkoff as a “nice guy, but a bumbling f***ing idiot."

In a statement provided to NBC NEws, White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said that Witkoff “abides by all security protocols in coordination with the State Department."

U.S. President Donald Trump has increasingly expressed frustration with his inability to secure a ceasefire in Russia’s war against Ukraine. While his administration has sought warmer ties with Moscow, Trump backed Ukraine and Europe’s proposal for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire beginning March 12 and said he would impose tougher sanctions against Russia if Putin refused.

Putin did not agree to the proposal. In remarks on May 11, he instead invited Ukraine to begin direct negotiations in Istanbul on May 15. Russia has consistently refused to accept an unconditional ceasefire in its full-scale war against Ukraine.

Most Russians ‘don’t care about the war,’ says journalist Ekaterina Barabash after escaping Russia

In early May, 64-year-old film critic and journalist Ekaterina Barabash made international headlines when it was revealed that she had pulled off a daring escape from house arrest in Russia and sought political asylum in France. Barabash was put under house arrest in February for posts that she had made criticizing Russia’s war against Ukraine. She was accused of spreading “knowingly false” information about the military on her social media. The Kremlin has intensified its crackdown on dissent

The Kyiv IndependentKate Tsurkan

President Volodymyr Zelensky and the leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Poland agreed on May 10 to impose additional sanctions against Russia if the Kremlin does not accept their proposal for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk met with Zelensky in Kyiv on May 10. The leaders demanded Russia agree to an unconditional ceasefire of 30 days beginning May 12.

"(The nations) agreed that if Russia refuses a full and unconditional ceasefire, stronger sanctions should be applied to its banking and energy sectors, targeting fossil fuels, oil, and the shadow fleet," the five leaders said in a joint statement.

“They agreed to pass a strong 17th EU sanctions package and to coordinate it with sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom and Norway, as well as by the United States."

The statement also promises continued cooperation on the “effective use of frozen Russian assets” and further support for Ukraine’s military and defense industry.

The European proposal for the 30-day ceasefire is backed by the United States, which first called for a complete month-long truce between Russia and Ukraine in March. Kyiv at the time agreed to the plan, but Russia refused to accept an unconditional ceasefire and insisted Ukraine first give up all foreign military aid.

"(A)n unconditional ceasefire by definition cannot be subject to any conditions,” the joint statement on May 10 said.

“If Russia calls for such conditions, this can only be considered as an effort to prolong the war and undermine diplomacy."

Shortly after Ukraine and its European allies demanded Russia accept the ceasefire agreement, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a late-night address marking the end of Moscow’s short-lived Victory Day truce.

Putin did not agree to the 30-day ceasefire and instead invited Ukraine to engage in direct talks with Russia in Istanbul beginning May 15. He also expressed annoyance at “ultimatums” from European states.

Kurt Volker, a former U.S. special representative for Ukraine, said on May 9 that he believes Putin is not interested in a peace deal, but may agree to a ceasefire later in the fall if Ukraine’s allies succeed in imposing tougher sanctions on Russian gas, oil, and financial transactions.

U.S. President Donald Trump on May 8 said the U.S. would join partners in imposing “further sanctions” if Russia does not agree to an unconditional ceasefire.

Editor’s Note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

Russia is inviting Ukraine to engage in direct talks in Istanbul beginning May 15, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on May 11 in a press conference marking the end of Moscow’s Victory Day celebrations.

“Russia is ready for negotiations without any preconditions,” Putin said.

There have been no direct talks between Russia and Ukraine since shortly after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Putin notably did not announce an extension of the three-day truce or agree to Ukraine and Europe’s proposal for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire. Such an agreement could be negotiated during the Istanbul talks, he said.

Putin unilaterally declared a temporary ceasefire in honor of Victory Day — which Russia observes on May 9 — from midnight May 8 until midnight on May 11. Despite the three-day truce, Russian attacks against Ukrainian civilians and combat operations on the front line continued.

During his remarks, Putin accused Ukraine of escalating attacks against Russia in the days leading up to the Victory Day “truce” and of violating the three-day ceasefire multiple times, including by launching five cross-border incursions into Kursk and Belgorod oblasts.  

These incursions held “no military significance,” he claimed.

Putin also said that he looks forward to “restoring relations with European states,” despite their “anti-Russian rhetoric” and delivery of “ultimatums” to Moscow.

President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders on May 10 demanded that Russia agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting on May 12. The proposal is backed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

If Russia refuses the proposal, Europe and the U.S. are threatening to respond with increased sanctions.

Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said earlier that Russia needs to “think about” the ceasefire proposal and is “resistant to any kinds of pressure."

As Western leaders press for an extended ceasefire, Russia has sent some signals that indicate a potential escalation of attacks.

The Ukrainian defense news outlet Militarnyi reported on May 10 that Russia is closing its airspace over the Kapustin Yar military training and rocket launch complex from May 12 to 13, raising speculation of a possible Oreshnik missile launch.

A similar ban was put in place ahead of Russia’s first Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile strike on Ukraine.

The U.S. embassy in Kyiv also issued a warning on May 9 that Russia could launch “a potentially significant” attack in the coming days, although they have previously issued similar warnings as part of standard security protocols.

‘We have not surrendered’ — how Ukrainians living under Russian occupation defied Putin’s ‘Victory Day’

Editor’s Note: The identities of Yellow Ribbon activists who live in Russian-occupied territory have been withheld for security reasons. “When my child hears about May 9 they almost scream, and so do I,” an activist with the Ukrainian Yellow Ribbon civil resistance group currently living in the Russian-occupied town of Tokmak in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, tells the Kyiv Independent. “Every week at school, from the very beginning of the semester, my kid has to do something about May 9,’” “We have le

The Kyiv IndependentYuliia Taradiuk

The United States has approved the transfer of 125 long-range artillery rockets and 100 Patriot air defense missiles from Germany to Ukraine, the New York Times (NYT) reported on May 10.

The American-made weapons cannot be exported, even by a country that owns them, without approval from the U.S. government.

A U.S. congressional official on May 9 announced that Washington had given the green light for Germany to transfer the weapons to Kyiv, the NYT reported. The shipment includes 125 long-range artillery rockets and 100 Patriot air defense missiles.

The Patriot air defense system is widely recognized for its high-precision detection, tracking, and interception of aircraft, cruise, and ballistic missiles. Ukraine reportedly has only eight Patriot systems, two of which are currently not in service. An additional Patriot system is on its way to Ukraine from Israel as part of a previously arranged commitment, the NYT reported on May 4.

Kyiv faces a shortage of ammunition for its Patriots, though details about its missile stocks have not been disclosed for security purposes. President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly urged the U.S. and international partners to provide additional Patriot systems and missiles as Russian attacks against Ukrainian cities intensify.

Production of Patriot missiles is expensive and complex, meaning the shortage is a worldwide issue.

At least two Patriot missiles are needed to intercept a ballistic missile, Ukrainian aviation expert Kostiantyn Kryvolap told the Kyiv Independent on May 6. Russia has escalated its ballistic missile attacks against Ukraine, making April the deadliest month for Ukrainian civilians since September 2024.

Germany has provided Kyiv with air defense support, including Patriot missiles and IRIS-T systems, in previous military aid packages. Newly elected German Chancellor Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on May 10, along with other European leaders, to reaffirm Germany and Europe’s support for Ukraine and commitment to securing a ceasefire deal.

Most Russians ‘don’t care about the war,’ says journalist Ekaterina Barabash after escaping Russia

In early May, 64-year-old film critic and journalist Ekaterina Barabash made international headlines when it was revealed that she had pulled off a daring escape from house arrest in Russia and sought political asylum in France. Barabash was put under house arrest in February for posts that she had made criticizing Russia’s war against Ukraine. She was accused of spreading “knowingly false” information about the military on her social media. The Kremlin has intensified its crackdown on dissent

The Kyiv IndependentKate Tsurkan

The newly appointed Pope Leo XIV spoke out against Russia’s continued war against Ukraine in an interview on May 9.

Speaking with Peruvian news outlet Semanario Expresión, Pope Leo condemned Russia’s war against Ukraine, characterizing it as a “a true invasion, imperialist in nature, where Russia seeks to conquer territory for reasons of power.”

Pope Leo was appointed just earlier this week on May 8, following the death of Pope Francis on April 21 at the age of 88. On May 7, cardinals officially opened the historic conclave in the Vatican to choose the next head of the Catholic Church.

By clearing naming Russia’s imperialist aspirations in Ukraine, the new pope’s comments come as a departure from his predecessor’s position on the war.

While Pope Francis was widely seen as a reformer who led the church with compassion and humanity, his legacy in Ukraine is more complex.

Throughout Russia’s full-scale invasion, many Ukrainians viewed Pope Francis' statements as failing to clearly assign responsibility for the war. His description of Ukrainians and Russians as “brothers” was perceived as painfully out of touch amid Moscow’s brutal war.

Additionally, while Pope Francis repeatedly called for peace, he also failed to call out Russia as the aggressor or to condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin.

President Volodymyr Zelensky recently congratulated the new pope on his appointment, saying, “Ukraine deeply values the Holy See’s consistent position in upholding international law, condemning the Russian Federation’s military aggression against Ukraine, and protecting the rights of innocent civilians.”

As leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Leo will play a decisive role in shaping how the religious institution responds to Europe’s largest war since World War II.

Most Russians ‘don’t care about the war,’ says journalist Ekaterina Barabash after escaping Russia

In early May, 64-year-old film critic and journalist Ekaterina Barabash made international headlines when it was revealed that she had pulled off a daring escape from house arrest in Russia and sought political asylum in France. Barabash was put under house arrest in February for posts that she had made criticizing Russia’s war against Ukraine. She was accused of spreading “knowingly false” information about the military on her social media. The Kremlin has intensified its crackdown on dissent

The Kyiv IndependentKate Tsurkan

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Russia needs to “think about” the latest proposal from Kyiv for a 30-day ceasefire.

Speaking to CNN correspondent Frederik Pleitgen on May 10, Peskov commented on the ceasefire proposal put forward by Ukraine and its European allies.

Zelensky and European leaders, with the support of United States President Donald Trump, demanded that Russia agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting on May 12. If Russia refuses the proposal, Europe and the U.S. will respond with increased sanctions.

When asked about the proposal, Peskov responded: “We have to think about that… these are new developments. We have our own position."

Peskov also commented on the increased pressure from Europe.

“Europe is actually confronting us very openly… and we are quite accustomed to it,” Peskov added.

When asked whether Russia can be pressured, Peskov said that “Russia is quite resistant to any kinds of pressure,” while simultaneously claiming that the Kremlin is “open for dialogue… open for attempts to have a settlement in Ukraine."

Peskov also noted that Moscow appreciates “efforts of mediation,” but added that it is “quite useless to pressure” Russia.

Earlier, Peskov rejected the 30-day ceasefire in an interview with ABC News on May 10, claiming that it would be “an advantage” for Ukraine.

Ukraine war latest: Russia continues to attack Ukraine while Victory Day celebrations underway in Moscow

Key developments on May 9: * Russian glide bombs attack Sumy Oblast despite ceasefire, Air Force says * European ministers approve special tribunal to prosecute Russia’s aggression against Ukraine * EU to provide Ukraine with over 1 million shells over 2025, allocate over $2 billion for military aid from Russian frozen assets * US, European allies finalize proposal for 30-day unconditional ceasefire, Reuters report * Ukraine detains Hungarian spy network in westernmost Zakarpattia Oblast,

The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk

In a strategic pivot, Chancellor Friedrich Merz's German administration has decided to keep future military aid shipments to Ukraine classified, a move aimed at achieving "strategic ambiguity", reports Spiegel, citing sources within the Merz government.

According to these insider accounts, over the last three intense years of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Germany had openly disclosed the packages of military aid sent to bolster Ukraine’s Defense Forces. However, this transparency appears to be drawing to a close.

"The German government will significantly reduce the communication of weapon system deliveries in the future," sources noted, citing the primary objective: to deprive the aggressor, Russia, of military advantage in Ukraine.

Journalists highlight that the Merz administration is making a "180-degree turn" and reverting to a covert approach regarding arms supplies.

"This will create an environment known as 'strategic ambiguity,' a term used in technical jargon to describe actions intended to obscure maneuvers from adversaries," notes the report.

It remains unclear how Chancellor Merz and his government will keep the Bundestag apprised of future arms shipments, though there is speculation these updates could occur in confidential sessions of the parliamentary Defense Committee.

Previously, Germany has unveiled a new military aid package for Ukraine. This package includes Gepard anti-aircraft systems, IRIS-T air defense missiles, various ammunition calibers, military machinery, drones, assault rifles, medical kits, and more equipment.

Additionally, Germany has been beefing up its own missile defenses, eyeing the procurement of Arrow 4 systems from Israel. As per German Air Force spokesman Lutz Kohlhaus, the nation is continuing its orders of Raytheon's Patriot systems and the purchase of F-35 fighter jets from the U.S.

Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv on May 10, President Volodymyr Zelensky rebuked the idea of establishing a demilitarized zone in the war with Russia.

Zelensky said that the idea of a demilitarized zone is “dead” and emphasized the importance of first securing a ceasefire, European Pravda reported.

The idea of a demilitarized zone as a potential solution to Russia’s war in Ukraine was first floated by United States special envoy for Ukraine Keith Kellogg. During a Fox News interview on May 7, Kellogg said that Kyiv had proposed creating a demilitarized zone jointly controlled by Ukraine and Russia.

Kellogg described the proposal as a buffer zone with both sides pulling back 15 kilometers, creating a 30-kilometer area monitored by observers from third countries.

At the press conference, Zelensky suggested that Ukraine did not propose creating a demilitarized zone, contradicting Kellogg’s statements.

“The question of the demilitarized zone, the disengagement of troops, I heard about it in the media and not only in the media, from many different people, from many intelligence agencies. Officially, Ukraine did not receive anything like that. But… everyone is looking for opportunities to conduct experiments on us,” Zelensky said.

Zelensky also commented on the complexities of the frontline situation and logistical challenges of a demilitarized zone.

“The issue of a demilitarized zone of 15 km in both directions - and why 15? And from which line will we count, from the border, from which contact line… Even if we talk about 15 km, what will we do with Kherson? This means that there will be no our troops in Kherson. If there will be no our troops in Kherson - we will not have Kherson,” the president said.

According to Zelensky, establishing a demilitarized zone would jeopardize Kyiv’s control of key Ukrainian cities.

“If… we agree to a buffer zone and withdraw 15 kilometers from cities like Kherson, Kharkiv, and Sumy, everyone will have what seems to be peace, but the war will continue in them, because artillery will fly over them. Therefore, it is premature to talk about this today and the idea is currently dead,” Zelensky said.

At the same press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine and its European allies demanded that Russia agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire starting on May 12. However, the Kremlin said that it will reject a ceasefire for as long as Ukraine receives Western weapons.

Zelensky, European leaders hold ‘productive’ call with Trump about peace talks

“Ukraine and all allies are ready for a complete unconditional ceasefire on land, in the air, and at sea for at least 30 days, starting as early as Monday,” Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote.

The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk

Kremlin's press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, says Russia already knows what to do in response to economic sanctions. According to Peskov, the Russian government shouldn't be frightened by new sanctions, as it has grown accustomed to them since 2014.

In an interview with the Russian media, he mentioned that Russia is prepared for the implications of additional economic restrictions. "Therefore, trying to intimidate us with sanctions is futile," Peskov commented in response to Britain's new economic measures against Russia, outlining 150 trade restrictions.

On May 10, a meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing" took place in Kyiv, attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Following their deliberations, the leaders conducted a phone call with US President Donald Trump, after which they announced a 30-day cease-fire starting Monday, May 12. Prior to the meeting, Merz warned that if Russia does not concede to the West’s peace initiatives, the EU and the US would intensify sanctions and increase support to Ukraine. Trump has reportedly shown support for these measures.