U.S. President Donald Trump has acknowledged in private that Russia is difficult to negotiate with because they "want the whole thing," referring to Ukraine, the WSJ reported, citing sources familiar with the comments.
A notice about the airspace closure was published on the U.S. Defense Department's NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) website on May 10, as cited by Ukrainian defense news outlet Militarnyi.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected the idea of a 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, claiming in an interview with ABC News on May 10 that it would be "an advantage" for Ukraine.
"Our involvement in the war was justifiable, and this belongs to our sovereign rights," North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un said. "I regard this as part of the sacred mission we must execute for our brothers and comrades-in-arms."
"We have a plan B and a plan C. But our focus is plan A, the essence of which is to get everyone's support" for Ukraine's accession, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said.
"(T)he presence at the Victory Parade of a country that bombs cities, hospitals, and daycares, and which has caused the deaths and injuries of over a million people over three years, is a shame," Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said.
"According to the participants of the performances, their goal is to remind the civilized world of the barbaric actions of Moscow, which for many years and decades has systematically violated international law," a source in Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) told the Kyiv Independent.
"I have great hope that an agreement for a ceasefire in Ukraine will be reached this weekend," German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on May 9, shortly before traveling to Kyiv alongside the leaders of France, Poland, and the U.K.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk will arrive in Kyiv early on May 10.
The United States embassy in Kyiv on May 9 issued a warning that Russia could launch "a potentially significant" attack in the coming days, despite Putin's self-declared Victory Day "truce."
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic pictured on Dec. 10, 2024 in Freiberg, Germany (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
Editor's note: The article was updated with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's confirmation that he intends to attend the Moscow victory parade.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic confirmed on April 16 that he intends to travel to Moscow for Russian President Vladimir Putin's May 9 Victory Parade despite the EU's pressure, the Associated Press reported.
The comments come after EU officials warned that Serbia could be blocked from joining the EU if its president takes part in the ceremonies, broadly seen as a propaganda event showcasing Russia's military might.
Serbia applied to join the European Union in 2009 and received candidate status in 2012. However, Vucic has also maintained friendly ties with Russia and Putin.
Vucic said that a Serbian military unit would participate in the event and, for the first time, Serbia would take part in organizing the parade.
European officials have issued a warning to Vucic, indicating that his visit would violate EU membership criteria and potentially block Serbia's accession process.
Several EU officials have commented on Vucic's upcoming trip to Moscow, including Jonatan Vseviov, the secretary general of Estonia's Foreign Ministry.
"We need to ensure that they understand that certain decisions come at a cost. The consequence is them not joining the European Union," Vseviov said.
Vseviov also added that attendance at Russia's Victory Day Parade is "an important litmus test. Basically, what we look at is whether or not they are on our side or playing on the other team."
Kaja Kallas, the EU's top diplomat, also commented that "any participation in the May 9 parades or celebrations in Moscow will not be taken lightly on the European side, considering that Russia is really waging a full-scale war in Europe."
Russian state media reported that Putin has invited the leaders of China, Israel, and Brazil to attend the May 9 celebrations in Moscow, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia, is also confirmed to attend the parade in Moscow, despite EU warnings.
The Kyiv Independent news desk
