Hungarian intelligence services have uncovered two alleged Ukrainian “spies,” Hungarian government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs wrote on the social media platform X on May 20.

The new allegations escalate a diplomatic row sparked by mutual espionage accusations between Kyiv and Budapest.

Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) claimed on May 9 that it had exposed a Hungarian espionage network in western Ukraine, detaining two agents. In response, Hungary expelled two Ukrainian diplomats, a move met with reciprocal expulsions by Kyiv.

Kovacs said that Hungary’s Fidesz party identified the individuals as Roland Tseber and Istvan Hollo.

Citing the parliamentary group leader Mate Kocsis, he claimed Tseber was “an illegal officer of Ukrainian intelligence” who built ties with opposition figures to influence Hungary’s position on Russia’s war.

Kocsis also claimed Hollo was a Ukrainian national under investigation for seeking classified Hungarian information on energy and military policy.

“This activity fits a classic influence operation aiming to discredit Hungary internationally and pressure the government to shift its Ukraine policy,” Kocsis said.

Ukraine hasn’t commented on the latest allegations.

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On May 13, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban accused Ukraine of meddling in Hungary's internal affairs and colluding with an opposition party.

"The Hungarian opposition party took an active part in the special operation of the Ukrainian secret service. Such a thing has never happened in our memory," Orban said, likely referring to the Tisza party led by opposition figure Peter Magyar.

Magyar, who visited Kyiv in July 2024 and raised humanitarian aid for Ukraine, has positioned his party in opposition to Orban's policies and vowed to reset Hungary's relations with the West.

Orban, widely regarded as the EU's most pro-Russian leader, has repeatedly opposed military aid for Ukraine and warned that Ukraine's EU membership would "destroy" Hungary.

The espionage dispute comes amid Hungary's increasing political isolation within the EU due to its position on Russia's ongoing full-scale war, now in its third year.

‘No one saw surrender as an option’ – Mariupol defender on historic Azovstal fight and brutal Russian captivity

Warning: This article contains descriptions of graphic scenes. A bullet fired by a Russian sniper hit Azov Brigade member Artem Dubyna in the head and passed through his neck. “He’s dead,” crackled the message over the radio to his comrades. But Dubyna’s heart was still beating. Evacuating his unconscious body

The Kyiv IndependentDaria Shulzhenko

Belgium is planning to expedite the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, moving up the timeline originally set, Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken announced ahead of a ministers' meeting in Brussels on May 20, according to Radio Svoboda.

“Regarding the F-16s, we are part of the F-16 coalition and will remain so, and we're trying to deliver the aircraft even earlier than the set deadline. I think this is good news," he stated, though he provided no further details.

Earlier, in March, the Belgian government indicated a delay in the delivery of F-16 jets to Ukraine due to setbacks in receiving new F-35 jets from the United States to Belgium. The delay involved thirty jets whose delivery was pushed to the end of 2025. Recently, Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever mentioned that Belgium plans to transfer at least two fighter jets to Ukraine in 2025, but more could follow.

The United States is working with NATO partners to locate additional Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on May 20 during Senate testimony on the State Department’s budget.

Ukraine has consistently warned that its current air defense capacity is insufficient to counter the scale of Russia’s intensified missile and drone attacks.

“The U.S. is looking for Patriot batteries to be able to transfer from other NATO nations into Ukrainian hands,” Rubio told lawmakers, adding that no country is willing to give up these systems, and the U.S. cannot produce them quickly enough.

Kyiv has requested more Patriots to shield cities and critical infrastructure.

In an April 13 interview with CBS News, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine is ready to buy 10 U.S.-made Patriot systems for $15 billion.

“We will find the money and pay for everything,” he said.

Despite Kyiv’s appeals, U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed the request, accusing Zelensky of “always looking to purchase missiles” and falsely blaming Ukraine for provoking the war.

The Patriot is a high-precision, U.S.-made surface-to-air missile platform capable of intercepting aircraft, cruise missiles, and ballistic threats. Zelensky has repeatedly said Ukraine needs at least seven more systems to defend its most at-risk regions.

The New York Times reported on May 4, citing unnamed U.S. officials, that a Patriot system currently based in Israel will be transferred to Ukraine following refurbishment. Western allies are also reportedly reviewing whether to reallocate systems from Germany or Greece.

Kyiv currently operates eight Patriot systems, though only six are functional, with two undergoing repairs, according to the publication.

Ukraine accepted a U.S.-proposed 30-day unconditional ceasefire back in March.

Moscow has continued its large-scale drone and missile strikes, including the largest drone assault of the war on May 18, when 273 drones entered Ukrainian airspace.

‘No one saw surrender as an option’ – Mariupol defender on historic Azovstal fight and brutal Russian captivity

Warning: This article contains descriptions of graphic scenes. A bullet fired by a Russian sniper hit Azov Brigade member Artem Dubyna in the head and passed through his neck. “He’s dead,” crackled the message over the radio to his comrades. But Dubyna’s heart was still beating. Evacuating his unconscious body

The Kyiv IndependentDaria Shulzhenko

Ukrainian state-owned defense conglomerate Ukroboronprom has inked a Memorandum of Cooperation with Belgian NATO supplier KNDS Belgium SA. This new collaboration seeks to jointly produce medium-caliber ammunition for automatic guns that target enemy troops, light armored vehicles, and low-flying aerial threats, as announced by the Ukrainian corporation.

"We are gradually expanding the geography of our international partnerships, actively seeking and establishing new avenues of cooperation. This benefits both Ukraine's Defense Forces and our defense industry, which is keen on integrating into the global NATO armaments sector," said Ukroboronprom CEO Oleg Huliak in an official statement. KNDS Belgium is a renowned name in the industry, known for designing and manufacturing a wide range of munitions. The company supplies its products to NATO, the Belgian army, and many other countries.

In related news, Belgium has unveiled a new military aid package for Ukraine, valued at one billion euros.

According to Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken, a significant portion of this package, amounting to 645 million euros, will be sourced from Belgium's own defense sector. The package includes around 100 armored ambulances and Unimog trucks, five unmanned maritime vehicles, various drones, medical kits, helmets, night vision devices, anti-drone detection systems, protective gear against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats, over 16,000 units of weapons and artillery systems, 20 modernized Cerberus anti-aircraft installations, and one Leopard battle tank with an upgraded turret.

Warning: This article contains descriptions of graphic scenes.

A bullet fired by a Russian sniper hit Azov Brigade member Artem Dubyna in the head and passed through his neck. “He’s dead,” crackled the message over the radio to his comrades.

But Dubyna’s heart was still beating.  

Evacuating his unconscious body from the spot where he was shot — inside the Azovstal steel plant, Ukraine’s final stronghold during the Russian siege of Mariupol in the spring of 2022 — was nearly impossible amid relentless Russian bombardment.

As he began to show faint signs of life, his comrades launched a daring effort to rescue him. With a Russian sniper still watching the area, Ukrainian mortar teams deployed smoke rounds to cloak the position, providing just enough cover to carry out the evacuation.

“I spent three days in a coma (in a makeshift hospital in Azovstal),” Dubyna, 38, says. “I experienced a complete loss of memory. I didn’t remember who I was or where I was.”

Though he survived and gradually regained his memory, returning to serve as a press officer for Azov — a symbol of Ukraine’s resistance through its tenacious defense of Mariupol in the first three months of the full-scale war — the nightmare was far from over.

On May 16, 2022, Azovstal defenders were ordered to surrender to the encircling Russian forces. Exactly three years ago, on May 20, 2022, the surrender concluded. Dubyna, along with hundreds of other soldiers, was sent into Russian captivity, where he spent two and a half years.

Though 485 Azovstal defenders have been released from captivity since 2022, around 850 remain in Russian prisons three years later. The full extent of what happened in Azovstal and Mariupol may only come to light when every defender is free to share their story.

Still, the way Ukrainian soldiers defended the plant, despite injuries, exhaustion, and severe shortages of ammunition and even food, has already gone down in history as one of the most heroic military operations to date.

The last battle

Dubyna, who goes by the callsign “Nikopol,” after his hometown, joined Azov as a press officer in 2016. He left military service around 2020 to return to journalism, hoping to settle down and build a family.

But just two years later, instead of the calm life he’d hoped to build, Dubyna found himself back in uniform and straight into hell: Mariupol, at the center of the war’s most brutal early battles.

“We understood that this would be a siege, and that we’d face a large concentration of enemy forces. But we also knew that the longer we held Mariupol, the more enemy forces would be tied down there, and those in surrounding cities (like Zaporizhzhia) would have time to prepare (for further assaults),” Dubyna recalls.

As Russian troops advanced on Mariupol, Ukrainian defenders were pushed further back, with Azovstal — a vast steel plant featuring extensive underground tunnels — ultimately serving as their final bastion.

Inside the plant, Ukrainian forces held their ground despite being cut off from supplies and surrounded by civilians, as Russian attacks leveled Mariupol around them.

To show the world the scale of Russia's assault, Azov's press service operated under life-threatening conditions, gathering footage and information from various positions across the city and later from inside the steel plant itself, Dubyna recalls.

"I spent about a month working in the press unit before being reassigned to one of the positions at Azovstal. It was supposed to be an observation post, but by then, there weren't enough people, too many were wounded or killed, so they had to pull officers from headquarters," Dubyna says.

"Our task was to monitor enemy movements and, if necessary, take up positions and hold the line," he adds. "And during one of these actions, I was wounded."

Dubyna says doctors were surprised he survived such a severe injury. He explained that the bullet passed through his neck, detaching arteries and veins from the muscles without rupturing the arteries themselves, which prevented rapid blood loss.

"At that point, (medics) didn't even have the means to transfuse blood to those who had lost it or provide any significant medical support," he recalls. "I had lost a lot of blood, but there was no way to give me a transfusion or fluids, so my body had to recover on its own."

About 10 days after his injury, Dubyna returned to his duties as a press officer.

"I even started writing some texts; it was tough to form sentences and string words together, but I tried to help however I could," he says.

As the battle escalated and Russian troops advanced deeper into the Azovstal plant, the defenders were ordered to surrender to save their lives.

"When Redis (Colonel Denys Prokopenko, Azov commander) gathered us and told us there was an order from the commander-in-chief to preserve lives, we accepted it calmly because we understood it was a direct order, and we had to carry it out," Dubyna says.

"But before that, no one saw surrender as an option. Everyone was prepared for the last battle," he says, adding that some soldiers even asked their comrades to kill them if they were severely wounded, just to avoid capture.

Dubyna says he was skeptical from the start about Russia's promise to release them after just a few months in captivity.

"Knowing the kind of enemy we were facing… I never believed it would be a quick release," he says.

"Unfortunately, under the conditions we were held in, many people lost their lives due to severe beatings and illnesses in captivity."

It was, essentially, a ticket from one hell to another.

12 never-before-seen photos from Azovstal defense (Photos)

The defense of the Azovstal steel plant, Ukraine’s last stronghold during the Russian siege of Mariupol in the spring of 2022, remains one of the most heroic operations carried out by the Ukrainian soldiers to date. The plant was under constant Russian bombardment for nearly two months, and those stuck

The Kyiv IndependentIrynka Hromotska

Routine torture

The evacuation from Azovstal ended on May 20, 2022, with Ukrainian soldiers transferred to a penal colony in Russian-occupied Olenivka, Donetsk Oblast, now infamous as the site of the mass killing of Azov fighters.

On July 28, an explosion killed 54 Ukrainian prisoners of war and injured over 150 at the Olenivka penal colony. Dubyna, who witnessed the event, says he is certain Russian forces were responsible, despite their attempts to blame Ukraine for the attack.

He says that a day before the attack, Russian guards gathered about 200 Azov fighters in one of the barracks.

"At first, we thought this was the start of a prisoner exchange," Dubyna recalls.

Then, at night, a powerful blast occurred. Dubyna says the prison's authorities prevented any assistance from reaching the injured.

"Only those inside that barrack tried to help each other with whatever they had, which was nothing. They tore their clothes to make bandages and did their best to save one another, pulling people out of the burning building."

Those Ukrainian POWs who survived the blast in Olenivka were later transferred to the detention center in Russia's Taganrog, infamous for the use of torture against prisoners. It started as soon as the POWs arrived there.

"They just started throwing us onto the floor from trucks like we were sacks," Dubyna says.

"And right away, as soon as you hit the floor, they started beating you, kicking, hitting with batons, using stun guns."

"It went on for several hours, while they were taking us through what they called 'intake.'"

He spent nine months there before being transferred to another facility in the city of Kamyshin, in Volgograd Oblast, enduring repeated interrogations accompanied by beatings and threats of death or rape, with almost no nutritious food or medical care provided.

"They would threaten to cut off ears or a nose, pressing a knife to the ear and starting to cut it slightly, causing bleeding, all meant to terrify and break the prisoners."

Electric shock torture was routine in Kamyshin, he says.

"When they used it, it felt like all your bones were breaking, like your muscles were torn apart. The pain was so intense, you'd end up smashing your head against the floor just to make it more bearable," Dubyna says.

"They'd lay you down, hook the electrodes, and run electricity through you. It's the kind of experience you never forget."

According to the United Nations, more than 95% of Ukrainian POWs have been subjected to torture in Russian captivity. Former detainees recount being brutally beaten, electrocuted, suffocated, and threatened with executions. Many come back with serious injuries, fractures, lost teeth, and signs of post-traumatic stress disorder.

With no connection to the outside world, Dubyna endured the horrors of Russian captivity by holding on to thoughts about his family and his girlfriend, Olha, whom he had dreamed of marrying.

The long-awaited dream came true a month after Dubyna was released from captivity in September 2024.

"When you realize that you are back on free land, you're home… it was an indescribable feeling," he says.

"It's joy. It's the feeling of freedom, of lightness. You suddenly realize you no longer have to walk hunched over, that you can stand tall again, that you can look someone in the eyes when you speak, something that was unthinkable in captivity."

After returning to Ukraine, POWs receive medical care and are entitled to a leave – its duration depends on the state of their health – before returning to service. As Dubyna’s leave is almost over, he is getting ready to rejoin his Azov Brigade in its ongoing fight against Russian aggression and to help bring back Azovstal defenders from captivity.

"I'm returning to service, back to Azov, to continue fighting for the return of our comrades."

Note from the author:

Hi! Daria Shulzhenko here. I wrote this piece for you. Since the first day of Russia's all-out war, I have been working almost non-stop to tell the stories of those affected by Russia’s brutal aggression. By telling all those painful stories, we are helping to keep the world informed about the reality of Russia’s war against Ukraine. To fund our reporting, we rely on our community of over 18,000 members from around the world, most of whom give just $5 a month. We’re aiming to reach 20,000 soon — join our community and help us reach this goal.

‘Russians need to be taught a lesson’ – why foreign soldiers keep fighting for Ukraine amid growing uncertainty

Editor’s Note: This article contains graphic descriptions. Soldiers interviewed for this article are identified by their callsigns only due to security reasons. When Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, shocking the world, thousands of foreigners flocked to defend Ukraine – many with little to no connection with the country. More

The Kyiv IndependentDaria Shulzhenko

Ukraine will receive 400,000 additional artillery shells in 2025 through the Czech-led munitions initiative, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on May 20 on Telegram.

The initiative, supported by contributions from Canada, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, and other nations, has significantly enhanced Ukraine’s artillery capabilities. Launched in 2024, it has become a vital supplement to the country’s firepower amid shell shortages.

Following a meeting with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Shmyhal said Ukraine received around 1.5 million artillery shells of various calibers through the initiative in 2024.

He announced that Czechia has increased its annual aid allocation to Ukraine to over $43 million. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, Prague has provided $900 million in military assistance to Kyiv.

Fiala and Shmyhal also discussed expanding cooperation on weapons production, economic support, and humanitarian assistance.

“We will strengthen the integration of the Ukrainian and Czech defense industries,” Shmyhal wrote. “In addition, we agreed to cooperate in training Ukrainian pilots of F-16 airplanes."

Czechia has played a leading role within the EU in rallying military support for Ukraine and has hosted hundreds of thousands of refugees since the start of the war.

The country’s opposition party, ANO, has threatened to suspend the munitions initiative if it wins parliamentary elections in October 2025.

ANO deputy leader Karel Havlicek made the remarks in January, raising concerns about the future of one of Ukraine’s most reliable arms pipelines.

As Russia’s fiber optic drones flood the battlefield, Ukraine is racing to catch up

Editor’s Note: In accordance with the security protocols of the Ukrainian military, soldiers featured in this story are identified by first names and callsigns only. Every year, as the way war is fought constantly evolves on the battlefields of Ukraine, the visuals of the fighting on the ground that

The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of using "negotiations" to bide time to prolong the war and occupation. Zelensky noted that leaders discussed yesterday's conversation between him and U.S. President Donald Trump.

He stressed the importance of coordinating diplomatic efforts to achieve real results, saying, "We're working with our partners to ensure pressure forces Russia into changing its behavior. Sanctions matter, and I'm grateful to everyone making them more impactful for those responsible for the war." Zelensky reiterated his belief that the war should end at the negotiating table, albeit with clear and realistic proposals. "Ukraine is ready for any productive format of negotiations. Should Russia continue to impose unrealistic conditions and sabotage possible outcomes, there must be strict consequences," he emphasized. Zelensky also mentioned scheduled talks with other partners.

Following a lengthy two-hour phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump expressed his belief that Putin wants peace in Ukraine. Meanwhile, according to Financial Times, some European leaders briefed by Trump after his conversation with the Russian leader were reportedly astonished by the U.S. president's stance. A source noted it became apparent that Trump "has no intention of applying substantial pressure on Putin" to compel him to engage earnestly in negotiations.

Russian law enforcement agencies have sent 20,000 naturalized migrants to fight in Ukraine for failing to register for military service, Investigative Committee Head Alexander Bastrykin said on May 20, according to state-owned TASS.

The revelation signals an intensifying crackdown on Russia’s migrant population as the Kremlin struggles to meet front line manpower needs.

“Already 20,000 ‘young’ citizens of Russia, who for some reason do not like living in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, are on the front lines,” Bastrykin said during the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum.

He said he had ordered military investigators, police, and Russia’s National Guard to conduct regular raids on areas where migrants live to catch those evading military registration.

Bastrykin earlier claimed many foreigners had begun “slowly” leaving Russia to avoid conscription and described the forced deployment of naturalized citizens as a “trick” to target migrants while fulfilling constitutional requirements.

The statement comes as Russian forces continue monthly recruitment drives of 30,000 to 40,000 people, according to Western intelligence cited by the Wall Street Journal.

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With the memory of the unpopular 2022 partial mobilization still fresh — when more than 261,000 Russians fled the country — the Kremlin has avoided another mass draft.

Instead, it has turned to aggressive enlistment campaigns and financial incentives.

On March 31, Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized the spring conscription of 160,000 men — the country's largest call-up in 14 years.

Although conscripts are technically barred from front-line combat, rights groups and relatives have reported that many are pressured into signing contracts that result in deployment to Ukraine.

In the summer of 2024, Russian lawmakers passed legislation allowing authorities to revoke the citizenship of naturalized individuals who fail to register for military service.

As Russia’s fiber optic drones flood the battlefield, Ukraine is racing to catch up

Editor’s Note: In accordance with the security protocols of the Ukrainian military, soldiers featured in this story are identified by first names and callsigns only. Every year, as the way war is fought constantly evolves on the battlefields of Ukraine, the visuals of the fighting on the ground that

The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell

President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed a free trade agreement between Ukraine and the U.S. to President Donald Trump, Deputy Economy Minister and Trade Representative Taras Kachka said on May 20.

According to Kachka, Zelensky offered an agreement in a letter to Trump, alongside mentioning other opportunities for cooperation in trade and the defence industry.

“This, accordingly, will be the next stage of our conversations,” Kachka said during a conference in Ukraine’s capital.

Kyiv is interested in such an agreement, despite the fact that the U.S. is not Ukraine’s largest trading partner, he added.

“We are interested in free trade agreements with all G7 countries. That is, we have (agreements) with Britain, Canada, and the European Union. We also need the United States and Japan,” he said.

Ukraine and the U.S. launched initial talks on a free trade zone back in 2021.

Earlier, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that Kyiv seeks to boost bilateral trade and an agreement with the U.S. to allow “everything except for the fixed exceptions."

Ukrainian trade with the U.S. has dropped in recent years, with only $874 million of exports and $3.4 billion of American imports last year. But the knock-on effect could be a global trade war that hits Ukraine too, Oleksandra Myronenko from the Center for Economic Strategy (CES) in Kyiv, told the Kyiv Independent last month.

In early April, Trump imposed a 10% tariff on all Ukrainian goods, except metal products, which had already been subject to a 25% tariff in March.

Zelensky had to remind Trump peace talks already underway during call with EU leaders, Axios reports

Donald Trump told the leaders that Vladimir Putin agreed to start direct negotiations on a ceasefire immediately, which led to a few seconds of “puzzled silence,” Axios reported.

The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova

In the coming months, European sanctions against Russia are set to further impact its economy, said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas, as reported by Radio Free Europe.

"Today, at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting, we also have an intelligence report about the real state of the Russian economy. According to this report, they are reaching a stage where they have to rely on supply chains heavily. Therefore, the impact of the sanctions will be even stronger in the coming months," Kallas stated.

The Council of EU Foreign Ministers is convening today in Brussels, with Ukrainian Minister Andriy Sybiha participating. He will brief the ministers on the situation on the front and negotiations in Istanbul. The meeting is also set to formally approve the 17th package of sanctions and start discussions on the next one.

Kallas emphasized that the European Commission will propose including restrictions on Russian oil prices, as well as targeting the energy and banking sectors, in the new sanctions package. She mentioned that Russians want Europeans to believe the sanctions are ineffective, but this is false. The Russians are skilled in propaganda, but "things are not going so well for them."

Earlier, the German government stated that Germany, along with its allies, is working on new sanctions against Russia to push Moscow to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine. According to media reports, this week, Europe will propose to G7 finance ministers to lower the cap on Russian oil prices to $50 per barrel.

Russian troops continue their relentless attacks on border towns in the Sumy region, causing injuries to local residents. On Tuesday morning, May 20, drones launched by Russian troops targeted the village of Velyka Pysarivka just as residents were receiving humanitarian aid, according to a statement by the Sumy Regional Prosecutor's Office on their Telegram channel.

The drone strike on the humanitarian aid distribution site resulted in injuries to two men, aged 51 and 57. The latter was transported to a medical facility for treatment.

This incident comes just three days after Russian forces, using an attack drone, struck a passenger bus evacuating people from the border town of Bilopillya. The Russian assault claimed the lives of nine passengers and left seven others wounded nine passengers killed. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha condemned the Russian strike as a "barbaric and deliberate war crime".

Washington plans to spend about $250 million of foreign aid funds to repatriate people from active conflict zones, including about 200,000 Ukrainians and 500,000 Haitians, the Washington Post reported on May 20, citing the draft internal documents the newspaper obtained.

During Joe Biden’s presidency, Ukrainians and Haitians were granted temporary protection, allowing them to stay in the U.S. if they could not return to their home country.

With the Trump administration coming to office, the U.S. has tightened its immigration policy. U.S. President Donald Trump previously pledged to impose harsher legislation on migrants and launch the “largest deportation program in U.S. history,” aimed at removing 15 to 20 million migrants from the country.

According to the draft internal documents, the proposal was prepared after the Department of Homeland Security issued a statement on May 5. The statement read that those immigrants who voluntarily leave the U.S. for their home countries would be eligible for $1,000 in assistance.

Besides Ukrainians and Haitians, the draft documents also mention Afghans, Palestinians, Libyans, Sudanese, Syrians, and Yemenis, who could become other targets of the deportation program, the WP reported.

Tricia McLaughlin, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, verified the documents' authenticity, but described them as “outdated.” McLaughlin added that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has not made a “final” decision on temporary protected status for Haiti or Ukraine.

According to the draft documents reviewed by the newspaper, the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (PRM) will fund the voluntary resettlement program using funds allocated by Congress for charter flights or commercial airfare.

The State Department has acknowledged that it is working with the Department of Homeland Security to provide “travel support and financial incentives” to encourage migrants to leave the country voluntarily.

The Trump administration’s proposal has been criticized, including by former government officials who called it inhumane and counter to long-held U.S. ideals, the WP reported.

According to the plan’s opponents, the Trump administration is forcing asylum seekers to return to countries where they are “at risk of being killed.” They also questioned whether the plan constitutes an abuse of foreign aid funds intended primarily to support refugees and their resettlement.

In late January, Washington suspended acceptance of applications from Ukrainians for asylum under the Uniting for Ukraine program. This program allowed for two years of asylum in the U.S., as well as the right to work, study, and have health insurance, among other benefits.

There are about 200,000 Ukrainian refugees in the U.S., according to the United Nations.

Zelensky had to remind Trump peace talks already underway during call with EU leaders, Axios reports

Donald Trump told the leaders that Vladimir Putin agreed to start direct negotiations on a ceasefire immediately, which led to a few seconds of “puzzled silence,” Axios reported.

The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova

President Volodymyr Zelensky had to remind U.S. President Donald Trump that negotiations with Russia are already underway after Trump announced to EU leaders the Kremlin’s readiness for talks, Axios reported on May 20, citing sources present at the call.

The exchange reportedly took place during a phone call involving Trump, Zelensky, and the leaders of Germany, France, Italy, Finland, and the European Commission. It followed Trump’s earlier call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in which the Russian leader provided vague assurances about peace efforts but again rejected a ceasefire in Ukraine.

Trump told the leaders that Putin agreed to start direct negotiations on a ceasefire immediately, which led to a few seconds of “puzzled silence” during the call, Axios' source said.

Zelensky then reminded Trump that Putin had previously agreed to this, and the first round of direct talks had already taken place on May 16 in Istanbul, marking the first direct talks between Kyiv and Moscow since 2022. Trump did not directly respond, the sources said.

The Ukrainian president and other leaders also pointed out to Trump that it had been his idea to start the peace talks with an immediate 30-day ceasefire, according to Axios.

Kyiv agreed to a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire on March 11, though Moscow has rejected it. Trump has repeatedly threatened to impose additional sanctions against Russia unless it accepts the deal, but has not taken the step.

Participants on the call reportedly seemed “surprised” that Trump was “relatively content” with what he heard from Putin. Even though the Kremlin’s position has not changed, Trump presented this as a new development in the negotiation process.

When asked about potential sanctions against Russia, the U.S. president said he did not think it was a good idea, adding that he believes Putin wants a deal. Trump told the group that Putin would present a “peace memo” with his terms for a ceasefire and an end to the war.

Axios' source also said that Trump told Zelensky and the European leaders that he asked Putin to present “something that people can agree to,” not a proposal that would be immediately rejected.

Responding to Finnish President Alexander Stubb’s question on his next steps, the U.S. president said that somebody “has to come out and say whether the negotiations are going well or badly,” and then the U.S. will decide what to do, Axios reported.

European leaders have urged the U.S. to impose additional sanctions on Russia to pressure it toward a ceasefire. Speaking to reporters after his call with Putin, Trump said he has no intention of taking the step so as not to disrupt peace efforts.

The U.S. president also declared he trusts Putin and reiterated his readiness to withdraw from the peace process unless progress is made.

Trump has vowed to broker a peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow within 100 days after taking office. As this self-imposed deadline has passed, the White House has grown increasingly frustrated with the delays, threatening to abandon the effort entirely.

Polish FM: Europe’s existential choice

For years, I have taken every opportunity to urge the European Union and its member states to invest more in defense. When Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, I repeatedly asked (as a member of the European Parliament) what further proof we would need to

The Kyiv IndependentRadosław Sikorski

POZNAN — For years, I have taken every opportunity to urge the European Union and its member states to invest more in defense.

When Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine, I repeatedly asked (as a member of the European Parliament) what further proof we would need to recognize the threats facing all of Europe. What would we – as Europeans – do if our security was threatened while our closest ally, the United States, was otherwise engaged?

Today, we confront that very situation. U.S. officials are openly stating that they do not intend to devote most of their time or resources to dealing with what they deem European issues. According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the U.S. has “other priorities to focus on.”

I agree. The global superpower has global responsibilities, and the number of flash points that might demand the U.S. government’s attention seems only to be growing. In addition to challenges in the Western hemisphere, instability in the Middle East, and severe tensions between two nuclear powers — India and Pakistan — there is also the paramount goal of redefining relations with China.

Moreover, according to the official U.S. Defense Department planning doctrine, the U.S. can no longer fight more than one major war at a time.

The new U.S. administration has been communicating its position plainly.

“We’re here today to directly and unambiguously express that stark strategic realities prevent the United States of America from being primarily focused on the security of Europe,” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced in Brussels this February.

EU approves 17th package of Russia sanctions, targets shadow fleet

“New measures also address hybrid threats and human rights. More sanctions on Russia are in the works,” Kaja Kallas said on X.

The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek

And U.S. Vice President JD Vance was even more direct, stating that “Europe’s entire security infrastructure … has been subsidized by the United States of America,” even though it is neither in Europe’s nor America’s interest “for Europe to be a permanent security vassal of the United States.”

President Donald Trump himself has repeatedly accused Europe of “freeloading” and “taking advantage” of the U.S.

Europeans may not like what we hear, but we cannot pretend not to hear it. We must be prepared for the U.S. to wash its hands not only of Ukraine, but even of Europe.

Le Monde’s Sylvie Kauffmann recently argued, “Preparing for the worst is a safer bet than hoping for the best.” We can and should do both — hope and prepare. Trust but verify.

Ever since Trump announced his presidential candidacy back in 2015, there have been two schools of thought on interpreting his words. Some argue that we should take him seriously but not literally, whereas others urge us to do the opposite: treat him literally but not always seriously. I believe that the most reasonable and respectable approach is to treat whatever the U.S. president says both literally and seriously.

Trump says he trusts Putin, won’t sanction Russia, prepared to ‘back away’ from Ukraine peace talks

U.S. President Donald Trump, in separate statements, told reporters on May 19 that he trusts Russian President Vladimir Putin, will not sanction Russia, but will abandon Ukraine peace efforts if progress is not made.

The Kyiv IndependentVolodymyr Ivanyshyn

Given the current state of the world, this implies that Europe faces an existential choice. We can enter the global game united, as a heavyweight competitor, or we can condemn ourselves to marginalization.

Much has been done already to become a heavyweight contender. Since 2016 — just before Trump’s first term — NATO members, excluding the U.S., have increased their annual defense spending by 98%, from $255 billion to $506 billion.

Moreover, after three years of Putin waging all-out war on Ukraine, the EU and its member states have proven willing to spend even more and to embrace a more cooperative, rational, and effective approach to defense planning and procurement. The new joint defense agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom is another step demonstrating this new strategic solidarity.

Deterring Russia is not beyond our means. We don’t need to match U.S. military capabilities; rather, we just need enough to force Putin to reconsider his chances of winning in a confrontation with a united European community of democratic nation-states.

The people of Europe are clearly demanding that we develop a revitalized European defense posture. According to the European Commission, 71% of EU citizens believe that the bloc must strengthen its ability to produce military equipment, while 77% support a common defense and security policy. This gives European leaders a mandate to think and act boldly.

But how long will it take to restore peace to Ukraine and stability to Europe? I believe we must act on the basis of three assumptions. First, we should view this as a war of a former imperial metropole against what it regards as a mutinous colony. History suggests that colonial wars usually take about a decade to end. Anything less than that should be considered a bonus.

Second, we should accept that for the invading country to start negotiating in good faith, it must conclude that the invasion was a mistake. It must acknowledge that the costs of war, and of keeping the former colony subjugated, are greater than whatever benefits the colony can possibly yield. Third, given the above, we should remember that colonial wars are usually finished by a different group of leaders than those who started the fighting.

Yes, boosting European defense capabilities while supporting Ukraine will cost money. Since the start of Russia’s war of aggression, the EU and its member states have provided more than $165 billion in support for Ukraine and its people. That is a significant amount, but it is still less than 1% of the combined GDP of the EU’s member countries (some $19 trillion). We can certainly do more.

And as we reinvigorate Europe’s defenses, we must not lose sight of why we are doing it: we are acting for our own safety, not to undermine transatlantic relations but to improve them. To avoid a strategic dilemma, we Europeans must be able to help the U.S. defend its allies by taking on our fair share of the security burden.

As Russia’s fiber optic drones flood the battlefield, Ukraine is racing to catch up

Editor’s Note: In accordance with the security protocols of the Ukrainian military, soldiers featured in this story are identified by first names and callsigns only. Every year, as the way war is fought constantly evolves on the battlefields of Ukraine, the visuals of the fighting on the ground that

The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell

Editor’s Note: Copyright, Project Syndicate / ImpactCEE. This article has been republished by the Kyiv Independent with permission. The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent.

Editor’s note: The article was updated with details about Crown Prince Haakon’s meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Crown Prince Haakon of Norway arrived in Ukraine on May 20, marking the first visit by a member of the Norwegian royal family during Russia’s invasion.

The Norwegian heir to the throne arrived by train on the morning of May 20, accompanied by Norwegian Energy Minister Terje Aasland. They were welcomed by Norwegian Ambassador Helene Sand Andresen and Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Oleksandr Mishchenko.

Haakon met President Volodymyr Zelensky, who voiced gratitude for “this meaningful gesture of attention and support for our people."

"We appreciate the $450 million contribution of Norway to Ukraine's energy security," Zelensky said.

"We also touched on deepening cultural ties between our nations and investment in the defense sector. There is strong potential in all these areas."

As part of his visit, the crown prince is further scheduled to meet Norwegian partners working with Ukraine and visit facilities receiving support from Norway's Nansen Program, the Norwegian government said in a statement.

The Nansen Program is Oslo's primary initiative for delivering military and civilian aid, committing 205 billion Norwegian krone ($20 billion) in support to Ukraine between 2023 and 2030.

Haakon also visited a memorial for fallen soldiers in Moshchun in Kyiv Oblast and a hospital in Irpin to meet injured Ukrainian soldiers.

"The visit is an expression of Norway's strong and ongoing support for the Ukrainian government and people," the Norwegian Royal House said in a statement. It marks the first visit by a Norwegian royal family member since the visit of Haakon's spouse, Crown Princess Mette-Marit, in 2008.

As Russia’s fiber optic drones flood the battlefield, Ukraine is racing to catch up

Editor’s Note: In accordance with the security protocols of the Ukrainian military, soldiers featured in this story are identified by first names and callsigns only. Every year, as the way war is fought constantly evolves on the battlefields of Ukraine, the visuals of the fighting on the ground that

The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell

Russia is trying to buy time to continue the war in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 20, reacting to a recent call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Zelensky’s statement follows his call with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, during which the Ukrainian leader told his counterpart about his May 19 phone call with Trump, as well as the latter’s talks with Putin.

“It is obvious that Russia is trying to buy time to continue the war and occupation,” Zelensky said on X. “We are working with our partners to pressure the Russians to change their behavior."

Zelensky thanked the partners who continue to impose sanctions on Russia for its aggression in Ukraine and stressed that the war should end at the negotiating table.

“Clear and realistic proposals must be on the table. Ukraine is ready for any effective negotiation format. And if Russia continues to put forward unrealistic conditions and undermine possible results, there must be harsh consequences,” Zelensky said.

Zelensky’s remarks coincide with new sanctions unveiled by the EU and the U.K. on May 20, targeting shadow fleet vessels, entities helping Russia avoid sanctions, actors involved in Russia’s military sector, information and hybrid operations, and more.

In turn, U.S. President Donald Trump said he does not intend to impose additional sanctions against Russia so as not to disrupt peace efforts, dashing the hopes of European leaders for a coordinated approach.

As Russia’s fiber optic drones flood the battlefield, Ukraine is racing to catch up

Editor’s Note: In accordance with the security protocols of the Ukrainian military, soldiers featured in this story are identified by first names and callsigns only. Every year, as the way war is fought constantly evolves on the battlefields of Ukraine, the visuals of the fighting on the ground that

The Kyiv IndependentFrancis Farrell

The British government announced 100 new sanctions against Russia on May 20, pledging to ramp up pressure as Moscow continues to reject a ceasefire in Ukraine.

The new measures, announced in coordination with the EU’s 17th sanctions package, target “entities supporting Russia’s military machine, energy exports and information war, as well as financial institutions” supporting the Russian war effort.

Even as London and Brussels unveil new economic measures, U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington does not plan to impose additional sanctions to avoid disrupting peace efforts.

The U.K. stressed that the sanctions follow the largest Russian drone strike against Ukraine, involving 273 drones launched against the country overnight on May 18. The restrictions aim to disrupt Russia’s supply of weaponry, namely Iskander missiles, which are often used in strikes against civilians.

The sanctions further target 14 more members of the Kremlin-funded Social Design Agency (SDA), a sanctioned Russian company accused of information operations aimed at undermining democracy and the rule of law in Ukraine and abroad.

The package also includes 18 shadow fleet vessels, 46 financial institutions helping Russia evade sanctions, and measures to prevent Russia from reconnecting to the global economy. The U.K. further said it is reviewing the possibility of further lowering the $60-per-barrel price cap imposed on Russian crude oil.

"(Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s latest strikes once again show his true colours as a warmonger," U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in a statement.

“We have been clear that delaying peace efforts will only redouble our resolve to help Ukraine to defend itself and use our sanctions to restrict Putin’s war machine."

European leaders have threatened Russia with additional sanctions unless Putin commits to a ceasefire and agrees to seriously engage in peace efforts. President Volodymyr Zelensky also announced that a new “strong EU sanctions package” is underway.

While European leaders have proclaimed that the new sanctions are coordinated with Washington, Trump denied plans for new U.S. restrictions on the Russian economy after a phone call with Putin on May 19.

EU approves 17th package of Russia sanctions, targets shadow fleet

“New measures also address hybrid threats and human rights. More sanctions on Russia are in the works,” Kaja Kallas said on X.

The Kyiv IndependentMartin Fornusek

The status quo in Russia-Ukraine peace efforts has not changed after a call between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak said on May 20 on X.

Putin and Trump held a phone call on May 19, during which the Russian leader refused to agree to a ceasefire and instead declared readiness to negotiate a “memorandum regarding a potential future peace treaty."

“Unfortunately, following the Trump-Putin phone call, the status quo has not changed,” Podolyak wrote on X, adding that Ukraine continues to offer an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, while Europe fully supports this step.

Podolyak noted that the United States remains a global mediator, believing that Russia will negotiate for business and strategic interests. At the same time, Russia’s position remains unchanged in its willingness to continue the war, he added.

“There is Russia’s unchanged position: it still seeks war, destruction, and killing, believing them to be the only means of preserving its current state. There is a Russia that is unwilling — and categorically refuses — to accept a ceasefire,” Podolyak said.

“And there is also this obsessive search for the so-called ‘root causes of the war,’ even though the only real cause is the simple fact of Russia’s unprovoked aggression."

After speaking with Trump, Putin said Russia’s position in the negotiations remains unchanged and requires “eliminating the root causes” of the war.

The call also follows largely inconclusive Russian-Ukrainian negotiations in Istanbul on May 16, where Russia sent a delegation of low-level officials and reiterated sweeping territorial demands, including that Ukraine accept the loss of Crimea and four eastern regions.

After the May 19 conversation, Trump said on Truth Social that Russia and Ukraine will “immediately start” negotiations toward a ceasefire and an end to the war. He also refused to commit to additional sanctions against Russia and signaled that Washington might walk away from the peace talks unless progress is made.

‘It’s our land’ — Zelensky responds to Putin’s call with Trump

A source in the President’s Office told the Kyiv Independent that Trump and Zelensky spoke twice on May 19 — once before the scheduled call with Putin and again after it.

The Kyiv IndependentTim Zadorozhnyy