
The United Kingdom has labeled Russia as an “immediate and pressing” threat in a major strategic defense review set to be published Monday, the Guardian reported on May 31
The 130-page review, prepared by a panel of senior advisers …
Amy B. Zegart

The United Kingdom has labeled Russia as an “immediate and pressing” threat in a major strategic defense review set to be published Monday, the Guardian reported on May 31
The 130-page review, prepared by a panel of senior advisers …

Authorities have ordered the mandatory evacuation of residents from 11 additional villages in Sumy Oblast due to escalating Russian attacks, Governor Oleh Hryhorov said on May 31.
Hryhorov signed the order citing the “constant threat to civilian …

At least 10 people were killed and 32 others injured over the past 24 hours as Russian forces launched widespread aerial and artillery attacks across multiple Ukrainian regions, regional officials and Ukraine’s Air Force reported on May 31. …

Russia has lost around 987,330 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 31.
The number includes 1,250 casualties Russian forces suffered just …

Editor’s note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
One child was killed and another was injured in a Russian missile attack on Zaporizhzhia Oblast overnight on May 31.
A 9-year-old girl was killed and a 16-year-old was injured in the …

Ukraine will skip a $665 million government debt payment after failing to agree on restructuring terms with creditors, Bloomberg reported on May 30.
“Ukraine remains committed to implementing a comprehensive, fair and equitable restructuring of …

In a prisoner exchange held from May 23 to 25, Russia sent Ukraine 65 prisoners who were set to be deported to Ukraine regardless of the swap, Suspilne reported on May 30.
Ukraine and Russia held a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner exchange from May 23 to 25 …

Claims of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s helicopter being “at the epicenter” of a Ukrainian drone attack in Kursk Oblast were reportedly fabricated by the Kremlin, the Moscow Times reported on May 30, citing four Russian …

U.S. President Donald Trump said on May 30 that he was “very surprised” at Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities amid ongoing peace negotiations with Kyiv.
“I was very surprised at at rockets being shot into cities like Kyiv during a …

President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke by phone with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on May 30 to discuss the next round of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, tentatively scheduled for June 2 in Istanbul.
“We both agree that such a …

U.S. President Donald Trump has decided to appoint the next Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), reaffirming a key American role in NATO’s military structure, Reuters reported on May 30, citing unnamed officials.
The decision marks a …

Key developments on May 28:

President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed skepticism on May 30 that the next round of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, tentatively scheduled for June 2 in Istanbul, will produce any results due to what he described as Moscow’s deliberate …

The U.S. Senate is expected to “start moving” next week on a bill introducing sweeping new sanctions against Russia, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said at a press briefing in Kyiv on May 30 attended by The Kyiv Independent.
The …

Editor’s note: This is issue 27 of Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak’s weekly “Ukraine Reforms Tracker” covering events from May 19–May 25, 2025. The digest highlights steps taken in the Ukrainian parliament related to business, …

Russia is prepared to consider a ceasefire in its war against Ukraine, but only if Kyiv stops receiving Western weapons and halts mobilization, Vasily Nebenzya, Russia’s envoy to the United Nations, said on May 30, according to the Russian …

Poland’s presidential race has never seen a first-round winner with so many reasons to worry, the far right so emboldened, and Ukraine so central to the campaign.
The June 1 run-off between Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski of the ruling Civic Platform …

Ukraine’s Cabinet of Ministers has approved a one-time payment of Hr 200,000 ($4,800) for medical school graduates who accept positions at health care facilities in rural areas or active combat zones, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on …

Ukraine’s rocky relationship with Hungary reached new lows this month with the uncovering of an alleged spy ring run from Budapest.
Arrests, tit-for-tat expulsions, and a stream of accusations from Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban soon …

Russian President Vladimir Putin is “fundamentally in favor” of meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on May 30, according to Russian state news …