"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."
U.S. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce called for "concrete proposals from both sides" in order for Washington to "move forward" in peace negotiations.
"If they speak to each other in Russian, he doesn't know what they are saying," one Western official told NBC News. Michael McFaul, former U.S. ambassador to Russia, called Witkoff's approach "a very bad idea."
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.
"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.
While serving as a bishop in Peru, Robert Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, called the full-scale war "a true invasion, imperialist in nature, where Russia seeks to conquer territory for reasons of power."
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.
Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv on May 10, President Volodymyr Zelensky rebuked the idea of a demilitarized zone in the war and emphasized the importance of first securing a ceasefire.
"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.
Ukrainian media outlet ZN.UA reported on May 10 that their law enforcement sources confirmed an ongoing probe by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau into suspected embezzlement, money laundering and bribery.
The aftermath of a Russian missile attack on Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine, on April 19, 2025. (Oleh Syniehubov/Telegram)
Russian attacks across Ukrainian regions injured at least six civilians over the past day, local authorities reported on April 19.
According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia deployed eight missiles of different types, and 87 long-range drones – 33 of which were shot down and 36 turned out to be decoy, on April 19.
Recent weeks saw Russia intensify its strikes against Ukraine's civilian infrastructure and residential areas as Moscow continues to reject a full ceasefire backed by Washington and Kyiv.
In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, a 74-year-old man was injured amid 328 Russian strikes across 12 settlements, Governor Ivan Fedorov reported on April 19. The attacks included eight airstrikes, more than 200 drone assaults, and over 100 artillery attacks. A fire broke out at a vehicle depot in Zaporizhzhia city following a drone strike. Another attack in the village of Mahdalynivka damaged residential buildings, according to Fedorov.
In Kharkiv Oblast, the city of Kupiansk was struck by 10 guided aerial bombs, including a high-powered thermobaric ODAB-1500, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said on April 19. Five civilians were injured as a result of the attacks. In Kharkiv city’s Kyivskyi district, a Shahed drone hit a residential area, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov. Further details are being clarified.
In Sumy Oblast, Russia shelled border communities 56 times, with 143 explosions recorded overnight. The attacks damaged homes, utility buildings, and vehicles across multiple settlements, but inflicted no casualties, according to Sumy Oblast authorities.
In Odesa Oblast, a Russian attack damaged several farming enterprises, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported. No casualties or injuries were reported.
Anna Fratsyvir is a news editor at the Kyiv Independent, with a background in broadcast journalism and international affairs. Previously, she worked as a TV journalist at Ukraine’s public broadcaster Suspilne, covering global politics and international developments. Anna holds a Bachelor's degree in International Communications from Taras Shevchenko National University and is currently an MA candidate in International Relations at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).
Kateryna Denisova
